Old Age Security is about to see its biggest quarterly increase of 2026. The Government of Canada has confirmed a 1.4% increase for the October to December 2026 quarter — the largest single jump of the year — pushing the maximum monthly OAS pension past $762 for seniors aged 65 to 74 and above $838 for those 75 and older. Here’s exactly what’s changing, how the increase is calculated, and when it lands.
What’s Changing
Old Age Security benefits will increase by 1.4% for the October to December 2026 quarter, based on changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which works out to a 3.0% increase over the past year — from October 2025 to October 2026. This makes the October adjustment noticeably stronger than the 1.2% bump seniors saw in July, and far ahead of the modest 0.1% increase applied back in April.
New OAS Amounts: July-September vs. October-December 2026
| Age Group | Jul–Sep 2026 (Current) | Oct–Dec 2026 (New) |
|---|---|---|
| 65 to 74 | $751.97/month | $762+/month |
| 75 and older | $827.17/month | $838+/month |
Service Canada publishes the exact to-the-penny rate table closer to the October payment date, but applying the confirmed 1.4% to the current maximums lands squarely in this range. For seniors 75 and older, the higher figure also reflects the permanent 10% boost that’s applied on top of the standard rate since July 2022.
Why OAS Increases Quarterly (Unlike CPP)
Old Age Security payment amounts are reviewed each year in January, April, July, and October, using the Consumer Price Index to keep pace with the cost of living — a different mechanism from CPP, which is indexed only once annually in January. That’s why your CPP amount has stayed identical all year since the January 2026 adjustment, while your OAS amount has already changed twice (April and July) before this October update. One feature of the system worth knowing: OAS payments never decrease, even if the CPI falls in a given quarter — the floor only moves upward.
2026 So Far: A Quarter-by-Quarter Look
- January–March 2026: Base rates of $742.31 (65-74) and $816.54 (75+)
- April–June 2026: A modest 0.1% increase
- July–September 2026: A 1.2% increase, raising amounts to $751.97 and $827.17
- October–December 2026: The confirmed 1.4% increase — the largest of the year
A senior collecting the maximum OAS throughout all of 2026 will have seen at least three, and now four, different monthly rates on their deposits over the course of the year.
When the New Amount Lands
The October 2026 OAS payment — the first to reflect the new 1.4% rate — is scheduled for October 28, 2026. CPP is paid on the same date, though the two arrive as separate deposits even when they land together. If you also receive GIS or the Allowance, those are indexed by the same quarterly CPI mechanism, so the 1.4% applies to those payments as well.
For the full monthly schedule through the rest of the year, see our CPP Payment Dates 2026 and OAS Payment Dates 2026 guides, and our GIS Payment Dates 2026 guide if GIS is part of your monthly deposit.
Does This Affect the OAS Clawback?
Higher OAS payments don’t automatically mean more seniors will hit the OAS Recovery Tax (clawback) threshold — that’s based on your total net annual income, not the size of any single deposit. The clawback threshold is itself indexed annually, so it moves alongside these quarterly OAS adjustments rather than staying fixed. If you’re a higher-income senior wondering how this affects your situation, see our full OAS Clawback 2026 guide for the current threshold and how the recovery tax is calculated.
How This Fits Into 2026’s Bigger Indexation Picture
This October OAS bump is part of a broader pattern of benefit adjustments across 2026 — CPP saw a 2% annual increase in January, the CCB and Canada Disability Benefit saw standard 2% increases in July, and the CGEB launched with a 25% policy-driven boost over the old GST/HST Credit. For the complete picture of every major 2026 benefit change in one place, see our CRA 2% Indexation 2026 roundup, and check our OAS vs CPP vs GIS Comparison if you’re trying to understand how these three programs work together.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will OAS increase in October 2026?
By 1.4%, pushing the maximum monthly amount past $762 for seniors 65-74 and above $838 for those 75 and older.
When does the new OAS rate take effect?
With the October 28, 2026 payment — the first deposit calculated at the new 1.4% quarterly rate.
Why is OAS adjusted more often than CPP?
OAS is reviewed quarterly (January, April, July, October) against the Consumer Price Index, while CPP is adjusted only once per year, every January.
Does a higher OAS payment mean I’ll hit the clawback threshold?
Not necessarily — the clawback is based on your total annual net income, not the size of a single OAS deposit, and the threshold itself is indexed annually.
Will my GIS payment also increase in October?
Yes. GIS and the Allowance are indexed using the same quarterly CPI mechanism as OAS, so the 1.4% increase applies to those payments too.
This article is for informational purposes only. Confirm your exact payment amount through My Service Canada Account once Service Canada publishes the official October rate table.
