Old Age Security is one of the most misunderstood retirement benefits in Canada because it is not based on work history the way CPP is. If you are asking whether you are eligible for OAS, the answer comes down mainly to your age, your legal status, and how long you have lived in Canada after age 18.
Quick OAS eligibility test
You are generally eligible for OAS if all of the following are true:
| Requirement | Basic Rule |
|---|---|
| Age | 65 or older |
| Status | Canadian citizen or legal resident when approved |
| Residency in Canada | At least 10 years after age 18 |
If you meet those three, you may qualify for at least a partial OAS pension.
Full vs partial OAS
OAS is prorated based on years of residence after age 18.
| Years of Canadian Residency After 18 | OAS Pension Amount |
|---|---|
| 10 years | 10/40 or 25% of full pension |
| 20 years | 20/40 or 50% |
| 30 years | 30/40 or 75% |
| 40+ years | 100% of full pension |
That means many immigrants qualify for partial OAS even if they do not qualify for the full amount.
What counts as residence?
Residence is not exactly the same as citizenship, tax filing, or home ownership. Service Canada generally looks at whether Canada was your ordinary place of living.
Factors that can help show residence include:
- a home or long-term residence in Canada
- Canadian health coverage
- regular physical presence in Canada
- family and social ties in Canada
- immigration and residency records
Can you get OAS if you never worked?
Yes. This is one of the biggest differences between OAS and CPP.
| Benefit | Based On |
|---|---|
| OAS | Years of residency in Canada |
| CPP | Employment contributions |
Someone who spent most of adulthood in Canada but had little or no paid work may still qualify for OAS. Someone who worked a lot but lived in Canada only briefly may not.
Can you get OAS outside Canada?
Possibly. The main rule is:
| Situation | General Rule |
|---|---|
| Living in Canada at 65+ | Need 10 years of residence after 18 |
| Living outside Canada | Usually need 20 years of residence after 18 |
However, international social security agreements can change the outcome for some people who split time between Canada and another country.
Reasons you may not qualify yet
You may not be eligible for OAS right now if:
- You are under age 65.
- You have lived in Canada for fewer than 10 years after age 18.
- You are not a legal resident or citizen when the application is assessed.
- You moved abroad with too little Canadian residency to keep payments going.
Not qualifying for full OAS does not mean you get nothing. Many people still qualify for a partial benefit.
Does income affect eligibility?
Income does not usually determine whether you qualify for OAS, but it can affect whether you keep the full payment.
| Issue | Effect |
|---|---|
| Basic OAS eligibility | Not income-based |
| OAS clawback | Higher income reduces or eliminates payment |
| GIS eligibility | Low income required |
High earners can be eligible for OAS and still have some or all of it clawed back. That is different from being ineligible.
OAS vs GIS
Many people confuse OAS with the Guaranteed Income Supplement.
| Program | Main Requirement |
|---|---|
| OAS | Age + residency |
| GIS | Must already qualify for OAS + low income |
So if you qualify for OAS, you may or may not also qualify for GIS depending on your income.
How to confirm your status
If you are unsure, check:
- Your age and legal status.
- Your total years of Canadian residence after 18.
- Whether you expect to live in Canada or abroad when payments begin.
- Whether Service Canada has already auto-enrolled you.
If you immigrated, left Canada for long periods, or split time between countries, your case may need closer review.
When should you apply?
Some Canadians are auto-enrolled, but not everyone is.
| Step | Timing |
|---|---|
| Check auto-enrolment notice | Around age 64 |
| Apply if needed | Up to 11 months before start date |
| Decide whether to defer | Before payments begin |
Deferring OAS to 70 increases the payment, but you must already be eligible to use that strategy effectively.
Bottom line
You are usually eligible for OAS if you are 65 or older and have lived in Canada for at least 10 years after age 18. Full OAS usually requires 40 years of residence. Because OAS is residency-based, not contribution-based, even people with limited work history can qualify.