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:

1. through your My Service Canada Account
   or
2. 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.

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