CPP and OAS: when should you start?
See what you would receive starting CPP anywhere from 60 to 70 and OAS from 65 to 70, how much each choice adds up to over your lifetime, and the age at which waiting pays off.
Uses 2026 rules and amounts: OAS for October to December 2026 and the 2026 OAS clawback threshold. Amounts are before tax and in today’s dollars.
Your details
Total CPP and OAS received, by age
Each line adds up every payment from today. Where a later start crosses an earlier one is its break-even age. Hover or tap for amounts.
CPP by start age
| Start at | Per month | vs 65 | Total |
|---|
OAS by start age
| Start at | Per month | From 75 | Total |
|---|
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We will send your monthly amounts at every start age, your break-even ages and the points worth discussing, from Krystian Urbanski at RetirementIQ.
Want a second opinion? Tick the box and Krystian will get in touch to walk through your timing, including how it fits with your savings, taxes and spouse.
Six numbers behind every CPP and OAS decision.
CPP at 60
Your pension drops 0.6% for each month before 65, for life.
CPP at 70
It rises 0.7% for each month you wait after 65, up to age 70.
OAS at 70
OAS rises 0.6% for each month you defer, up to five years.
Maximum OAS, 65 to 74
Per month, October to December 2026. From 75 it is 10% higher: $838.75.
For full OAS
Years in Canada after 18. With 10 to 39 years, OAS is paid in 40ths.
OAS clawback starts
For 2026 income, 15% of net income above this is recovered from OAS.
Sources: Government of Canada, CPP monthly amounts and OAS payment amounts. Figures change every year and OAS every quarter.
CPP and OAS timing questions
When should I start CPP: at 60, 65 or 70?
There is no single best age. Starting at 60 pays 36% less a month for life than starting at 65; waiting to 70 pays 42% more. In total dollars, 65 typically pulls ahead of 60 by about age 74, and 70 pulls ahead of 65 by about age 82. Your health, other income, savings, taxes and a spouse’s situation all matter, which is why the calculator shows every start age side by side.
How much does CPP increase if I wait until 70?
Your CPP retirement pension rises by 0.7% for each month you delay after 65, up to 42% at age 70. Starting before 65 reduces it by 0.6% a month, up to 36% at age 60. The change is permanent, and CPP is indexed to inflation every January.
How much is OAS in 2026, and can I defer it?
From October to December 2026, the maximum OAS pension is $762.50 a month for ages 65 to 74 and $838.75 from age 75. You can defer OAS for up to five years; each month adds 0.6%, up to 36% more at 70. A full OAS pension usually requires 40 years in Canada after age 18; with 10 to 39 years you receive a partial pension.
What is the OAS clawback threshold for 2026?
For 2026 income, OAS is reduced by 15% of individual net income above $95,323 (the OAS recovery tax). At higher incomes OAS can be eliminated entirely. Timing CPP, RRSP and RRIF withdrawals, and pension income splitting can help keep income below the threshold.
Where do I find my CPP estimate?
Sign in to My Service Canada Account and look at your CPP Statement of Contributions, which shows an estimated monthly pension at 65 based on your contributions so far. If you do not have it handy, the calculator lets you start with the 2026 average or maximum.
Should couples start CPP and OAS at the same time?
Not necessarily. Many couples are better off with the higher earner delaying CPP, because a larger pension also means a larger survivor benefit. Pension income splitting, the OAS clawback and each person’s health change the answer, so it is worth planning the two timelines together.
This calculator is general education, not advice. It assumes you qualify for CPP and OAS, ignores taxes other than the OAS clawback, and treats every payment as starting on your birthday. Your Service Canada statement and a full plan give the complete picture.