CPP and OAS Start Age Planner: how it works in 2026, with a worked example

Questions people ask

Should I start CPP and OAS at the same time?

Not necessarily. CPP grows 0.7% a month (8.4% a year) by waiting past 65 and OAS 0.6% a month (7.2% a year), and each interacts differently with the GIS, the OAS clawback and your other income, so many people do best starting CPP later than OAS or the reverse. The planner compares every combination rather than assuming.

Why does the planner look at after-tax income?

Because both pensions are taxable and OAS is clawed back above the threshold. A bigger gross pension in a high-tax year can be worth less than a smaller one in a low-tax year. Comparing after tax, using your province's 2026 brackets, is the only fair way.

Can I defer OAS if I have already started CPP?

Yes, they are independent. OAS can start any month from 65 to 70; each month of delay adds 0.6%. You can also start OAS and defer CPP, or defer both.

What if my other income drops at 71 when my pension changes?

The planner holds other income constant. Run it twice with the two income levels to bracket the answer, or use the withdrawal-order tool to see how RRIF withdrawals interact with the pensions.

Does it include the GIS, and why does that change the advice?

Yes, in a simplified form. The Guaranteed Income Supplement is a tax-free top-up for OAS recipients with little other income. The planner pays the single maximum GIS minus 50 cents for every dollar of income other than OAS, in any year OAS is being paid and that income is under the cut-off, and the headline says so when GIS is part of the best pair. Service Canada's real tables have exemptions and steps, so the true amount differs. If you would qualify, deferring OAS forfeits GIS and every dollar of CPP reduces it, so taking OAS at 65 and CPP early is often better, the opposite of the usual advice; if your total income is under about $30,000, treat the answer as a guide, not a figure.

How accurate is 'today's dollars'?

CPP is indexed to the CPI each January and OAS every quarter, so both keep their purchasing power. Working in today's dollars removes inflation from the comparison; the real return input lets you credit money received early if you would invest it.

How much will I get per month after tax?

The headline shows CPP plus OAS at 65, less income tax and any OAS clawback on top of your other income. The full CPP is about $1,500 a month in 2026 and OAS about $752, but most people receive less CPP than the maximum.

Does the planner include pension income splitting?

No. Couples who split pension or RRIF income can lower their combined tax, which the single-person calculation does not capture. The couple setting affects only the GIS note; treat the results as a per-person estimate.