Simplifying the process for Old Age Security

October 31, 2016                      Ottawa, Ontario             Employment and Social Development Canada 

The Honourable Jean‑Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development today announced that, thanks to further work that enables automatic enrolment for Old Age Security (OAS), more seniors will now receive their OAS pension without needing to apply. 

It is anticipated that this expansion of service will result in over 50 percent of new OAS beneficiaries being automatically enrolled for the OAS basic pension. 

These improvements to the delivery of OAS pension demonstrate the Government’s commitment to making it easier for Canadians to access benefits and services. 

Quote

“Automatic enrolment reduces the burden on many seniors by enabling them to receive their Old Age Security pension at age 65 without ever having to apply for it. We continue our efforts to modernize the Old Age Security services to meet the needs of Canadians.”
– The Honourable Jean‑Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development 

Quick Facts 

• The Old Age Security (OAS) program is the first pillar of Canada’s retirement income system. OAS benefits are intended to provide partial income security for seniors in recognition of the contribution they have made to Canadian society and the economy.
• In addition to the OAS basic pension, the program also includes other types of OAS benefits, including the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), Allowance and Allowance for the Survivor, which are additional supports for low-income Canadian seniors.
• Employment and Social Development Canada’s Old Age Security Service Improvement Strategy        aims to modernize the delivery of the OAS program by improving services to eligible Canadians, including vulnerable individuals, while also generating efficiencies in the processing of OAS benefits.
• With the introduction of the second phase of automatic enrolment on October 31, 2016, over 50 percent of new beneficiaries will be automatically enrolled for the OAS basic pension. 

Associated Links 

Applying for Old Age Security
Guaranteed Income Supplement

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Backgrounder

The Old Age Security Service Improvement Strategy is Employment and Social Development Canada’s concerted effort to modernize the delivery of the Old Age Security (OAS) program by improving services to eligible Canadians, including vulnerable individuals, while also generating efficiencies in the processing of OAS benefits. 

Automatic enrolment for Old Age Security - Phase 1 

In 2013, Employment and Social Development Canada launched the first phase of automatic enrolment for OAS. 

Using data already available within the Department, including dates of birth, current addresses and Social Insurance Numbers (SINs), Phase 1 has resulted in approximately 45 percent of new beneficiaries being automatically enrolled for the OAS basic pension without having to apply.

Individuals do not need to apply for OAS if at age 64 if they have a current Canadian address; have participated in the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) or the Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) for 40 years or more; and are receiving or approved for payment of a CPP or QPP retirement, disability or survivor pension. 

Automatic enrolment for Old Age Security - Phase 2 

Using the same information outlined above, in addition to data from the Canada Revenue Agency obtained through an information-sharing agreement, Phase 2 builds on Phase 1 by expanding the automatic enrolment process to include individuals who are not yet receiving CPP or QPP benefits at age 64, but who have participated in CPP or QPP for 40 years or more, and have also filed income tax returns as a resident of Canada.