The Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) is a non-taxable monthly benefit paid to low-income seniors in Canada who receive OAS. In 2026, the maximum GIS for a single senior is approximately $1,065/month — a significant supplement for those with limited retirement income beyond OAS.
| Marital Status | Max Monthly GIS | Income Cutoff |
|---|---|---|
| Single / Widowed | ~$1,065 | ~$21,624/year |
| Couple (both on OAS) | ~$641 each | ~$28,560 combined |
| Couple (spouse on Allowance) | ~$641 | ~$38,736 combined |
| Allowance (age 60–64) | ~$1,354 | ~$38,736 combined |
GIS is reduced by 50 cents for every dollar of income above the threshold. So a single senior earning $5,000/year above the threshold would receive $2,500 less per year in GIS ($208/month less). This creates an effective marginal tax rate of 50%+ on earned income for GIS recipients — important to understand before taking part-time work.
The GIS exemption for employment/self-employment income: The first $5,000 of employment income is fully exempt, and 50% of income between $5,000 and $15,000 is exempt. This encourages seniors to work part-time without losing all their GIS.
Many seniors are automatically enrolled in GIS when they apply for OAS, if Service Canada can determine your income from your tax return. If not automatically enrolled:
All federally regulated banks in Canada are required to offer free basic banking accounts to GIS recipients. If you receive GIS, you are entitled to a no-fee chequing account with at least 15 free transactions per month. Bring your GIS notification letter to any Big Six bank branch to access this benefit.
The Allowance is a benefit for low-income Canadians aged 60–64 whose spouse or common-law partner receives OAS and GIS. If your combined household income is below ~$38,736, you may receive the Allowance — up to approximately $1,354/month. The Allowance automatically converts to OAS when you turn 65.
KOHO offers free banking with no monthly fees — perfect for fixed-income seniors who want to keep more of their OAS and CPP. Easy to use on mobile or desktop.
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