Free tool 2026 rules

OAS timing and clawback calculator

Old Age Security is paid from 65 if you meet the residence rules. If your net world income passes the recovery threshold — $95,323 for 2026 — 15% of the excess is repaid as "recovery tax", often called the OAS clawback. You can also defer OAS for up to five years for a larger pension.

Mitey seated on a rock reading a notebook next to a few coins

OAS this year

$9,150

$762.50/month

Recovery tax (clawback)

income below the $95,323 threshold

OAS kept

$9,150

fully recovered near $155,320 (2026 estimate)

Start at 65 or defer? Lifetime OAS to age 90

Start at 65$242,475

$762.50/month · recovery tax $0

Start at 66$249,074

$817.40/month · recovery tax $1,050

Start at 67$253,602

$872.30/month · recovery tax $2,854

Start at 68$256,316

$927.20/month · recovery tax $5,155

Start at 69$257,909

$982.10/month · recovery tax $7,258

Start at 70$258,383

$1,037.00/month · recovery tax $9,163

Start age	Monthly (65–74)	Lifetime OAS	Recovery tax	Net
65	$762.50	$242,475	$0	$242,475
66	$817.40	$250,124	$1,050	$249,074
67	$872.30	$256,456	$2,854	$253,602
68	$927.20	$261,470	$5,155	$256,316
69	$982.10	$265,167	$7,258	$257,909
70	$1,037.00	$267,546	$9,163	$258,383

OAS amounts for October to December 2026: $762.50/month (65–74) and $838.75 (75+). Deferral adds 0.6% a month to 36% at 70. Partial pension = years in Canada after 18 ÷ 40 (minimum 10). Recovery tax is 15% of net world income above $95,323 (2026). Today's dollars; your other income is held level. GIS is not included.

Educational estimate, not advice. Results depend on your inputs and the assumptions listed. They are not a prediction of returns or a recommendation. Check benefit amounts in your My Service Canada Account and tax details with the CRA. Read the disclaimer.

How to use this tool

Enter your expected net income other than OAS.
Enter your years in Canada after 18.
See the recovery tax and compare start ages.

How the recovery tax works

The recovery tax is calculated on your tax return using net income for the year, which includes OAS itself, CPP, pension income, RRIF withdrawals, interest and taxable capital gains. TFSA withdrawals don't count. For 2026, OAS is fully recovered at about $155,320 for people 65–74 and $161,320 for people 75 and over (estimates).

Because the tax is calculated on one person's income, couples can sometimes reduce it by splitting eligible pension income or by drawing more from the lower-income spouse's accounts. Try the pension income splitting calculator.

Deferring OAS

Each month you defer after 65 adds 0.6%, to 36% at 70. Deferral can help if you're still working with income above the threshold (you'd otherwise lose some or all of it to recovery tax), or if you want a larger indexed income later. It's less helpful if you'd qualify for the Guaranteed Income Supplement, which you can't receive while OAS is deferred.

Frequently asked questions

Is the clawback calculated on household income?

No, on each person's individual net world income. That's why income splitting between spouses can reduce it.

When is the recovery tax deducted?

It's reconciled on your tax return, and Service Canada may also withhold it from monthly OAS payments based on your previous returns.

What if I haven't lived in Canada for 40 years after 18?

You may get a partial pension: 1/40th of the full amount for each year, with at least 10 years in Canada after 18 (20 if you live outside Canada). The tool's residence slider shows the effect.

Official sources

Figures checked October 30, 2026. Rules and amounts change; confirm current details on the official pages above.