OAS Deferral by Age Start Age Monthly Increase Max Monthly (2025 approx.) 65 0% $727 66 +7.2% $779 67 +14.4% $832 68 +21.6% $884 69 +28.8% $936 70 +36.0% $989 When Does Deferral Make Sense?

OAS Deferral Calculator 2025: Is It Worth Waiting?

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See how it works

OAS deferral boost: 0.6% per month (7.2% per year) for every month you delay past 65, up to age 70. Maximum deferral = 36% higher monthly payment. Break-even age is typically around 74–75.

OAS Deferral Calculator

Your estimated OAS at age 65 ($/month) Age you plan to start OAS Expected age of death (for break-even calculation)

How OAS Deferral Works

Old Age Security can begin any time between your 65th and 70th birthday. For every month you delay past 65, your monthly payment increases by 0.6%. This works out to 7.2% per year of deferral, and 36% total if you wait until 70.

The deferral increase is permanent — your OAS stays higher for life, not just until you reach some age. It also applies to the 10% age-75 enhancement, meaning a deferred OAS gets a 10% bump on the already-higher amount.

OAS Deferral by Age

Start Age	Monthly Increase	Max Monthly (2025 approx.)
65	0%	$727
66	+7.2%	$779
67	+14.4%	$832
68	+21.6%	$884
69	+28.8%	$936
70	+36.0%	$989

When Does Deferral Make Sense?

Deferring OAS makes financial sense if you:

Are in good health and expect to live into your 80s or beyond
Have enough other income (CPP, RRSP/RRIF, workplace pension) to cover expenses from 65 to 70
Want to reduce OAS clawback risk (by taking OAS later when other income may be lower)
Are still working between 65 and 70 and don't need OAS income yet

When Starting OAS at 65 Makes More Sense

You have health concerns or a family history of shorter life expectancy
You have no other income sources and need OAS immediately
You receive GIS — deferring OAS also defers GIS, which is often a worse financial outcome
You want to minimize RRSP/RRIF drawdowns to preserve estate value

GIS warning: If you expect to receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement, deferring OAS is almost never beneficial. GIS is only available to OAS recipients — deferring OAS means no GIS either.

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Bottom Line

OAS deferral is a powerful but personal decision. The break-even age of roughly 74–75 means deferral pays off for seniors who live into their mid-70s and beyond — which describes most Canadians. But health, other income sources, and GIS eligibility all affect whether waiting is the right call. Use the calculator above to see the numbers for your specific situation.