Old Age Security: How to Apply
Determine if you need to apply
We may send you a letter to let you know that you will receive the Old Age Security (OAS) pension.
You will need to apply for the Old Age Security pension if:
- you get a letter from us asking you to apply
- information in the letter we send you is incorrect
If you did not receive any letter about the Old Age Security pension the month after you turned 64, contact us to find out if you need to apply.
Decide when you want your OAS to start
You’ll be asked to choose 1 of the following:
- start receiving your pension at age 65 (your pension will start the month after your 65th birthday)
- start receiving your pension at a specific date that you choose
You’ll need to understand when is the best time for you to start receiving your pension.
Submit your application
Decide how to apply:
Apply online
To be able to apply online, you must:
- be at least 1 month past your 64th birthday
- not be currently receiving an Old Age Security pension
- have not already applied for the Old Age Security pension and Service Canada is not currently assessing your application
- be currently living inside of Canada
- not have an authorized third party on your account (for example, a person acting by proxy)
If you are applying online, you’ll need a My Service Canada Account (MSCA).
If you don’t have a My Service Canada Account (MSCA), you can register for one. You’ll receive a personal access code to complete your registration.
Apply or register through My Service Canada Account
Note: It’s important to gather the information you need before you begin, because once you start the application, you cannot save it and continue later. Your session will expire after 20 minutes of inactivity (this time starts when your computer mouse stops moving and resets when your mouse is moved).
Gather your personal information before you begin
Apply using a paper application
If you are applying by mail you need to:
- print and complete the paper form Application for the OAS and the GIS (ISP-3550)
- include certified true copies of the required documents
- mail the application or bring it in person to a Service Canada office
See the Reference Guide (ISP-3550A) for information on filling in your application form.
If someone is helping you with your application
You must provide consent for someone to help you with your application. You can do this 2 ways:
- through your My Service Canada Account
or - complete the Consent to Communicate Information to an Authorized Person form (ISP-1603) and mail it to us, or drop it off at a Service Canada office
This does not give the person helping you authority to:
- submit your application
- apply for benefits on your behalf
- change your payment address
- request or change the withholding of tax for you
If you need to apply or act on someone’s behalf
If someone cannot manage their own affairs, another person or agency may act on their behalf.
To apply to administer benefits on someone’s behalf you need to:
- have a medical professional complete the Certificate of Incapability form (ISP-3505)
- complete one of the following forms that applies to you:
- Agreement to administer benefits under the Old Age Security Act and/or the Canada Pension Plan by a Private Trustee form (for administration by an individual)
- Agreement to administer benefits under the Old Age Security Act and/or the Canada Pension Plan by an Agency or Institution form (for administration by an agency, charitable organization or municipality)
You will need to mail it to us, or drop it off at a Service Canada office.
These forms do not give the person applying on someone’s behalf authority to submit an application through My Service Canada Account (MSCA). You must submit a paper application.
Protecting your information
Privacy
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) is responsible for the administration of the Government of Canada website, Canada.ca, and for providing related services to the federal departments and agencies that publish their content to Canada.ca. ESDC is committed to respecting the privacy and protecting the information of all visitors to Canada.ca.
ESDC’s administration of Canada.ca includes various activities that may require the collection of personal information for both administrative1 and non-administrative2 purposes.
All personal information collected by ESDC about visitors to Canada.ca is authorized under legislation and is done in compliance with the Privacy Act. This means that you will be informed when your personal information may be required, the purpose for which it is collected, and how to exercise your right of access to that information.
While visiting Canada.ca, you may be directed to websites controlled by other Government of Canada institutions or a third-party, or to third-party social media platforms. When visiting a website outside of Canada.ca or a social media platform, personal information will be subject to the terms, conditions, and privacy policies of that other institution or third-party. In these cases, we strongly encourage you to take the time to read the specific privacy notices or statements that describe their specific terms, conditions, and policies.
