Old Age Security (OAS): residence is the currency
OAS is not based on work or contributions.
- The math.
- The minimum.
- The newcomer example.
- Delaying.
- Amounts.
Canada Pension Plan (CPP): contributions buy the pension
CPP is earned from work, not residence.
- More years.
- Late arrival.
- Timing.
- Apply early.
Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS): the top-up for lower incomes
GIS is a monthly supplement paid on top of OAS.
- Income-tested.
- Newcomer pattern.
- Apply together.
Social security agreements: your years abroad can count
Canada has agreements with nearly 60 countries.
- Combining periods.
- No double contributions.
- Apply through Service Canada.
- Quebec note.
Which countries have an agreement with Canada?
The full official list is on Canada.ca.
| Agreement country | Covers |
|---|---|
| Brazil | OAS totalization + CPP coordination |
| India | OAS totalization + CPP coordination |
| Philippines | OAS totalization + CPP coordination |
| China | OAS totalization + CPP coordination |
| United Kingdom | OAS totalization + CPP coordination |
| France | OAS totalization + CPP coordination |
| United States | OAS totalization + CPP coordination |
| Mexico | OAS totalization + CPP coordination |
| South Korea | OAS totalization + CPP coordination |
| Japan | OAS totalization + CPP coordination |
| Italy | OAS totalization + CPP coordination |
| Portugal | OAS totalization + CPP coordination |
The late-arrival reality
Be honest about the arithmetic.
- Arrive at 30.
- Arrive at 55.
- Official numbers.
Want a rough number? Enter your years in Canada and working years.