CRA Releases $2,254 OAS Payment for 2025: Eligibility & How to Apply

CRA Releases $2,254 OAS Payment for 2025: The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has released the $2,254 Old Age Security (OAS) payment for 2025, which is an important financial support for seniors. This payment is extremely important for retired citizens who depend on OAS for a large part of their retirement income. If you want to get the benefits of OAS, then you should be fully aware of its eligibility criteria, application process, additional benefits such as GIS (Guaranteed Income Supplement), and tax rules.

Let us know in detail who can get this payment and how to claim it.

Key information about OAS payment 2025

Category	Details
Program Name	Old Age Security (OAS)
Payment Amount	$2,254 per year (~$187.83 per month)
Eligibility	Canadian residents aged 65+ meeting residency requirements
Application Process	Some are automatically enrolled; others need to apply manually
Additional Benefits	Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) for low-income seniors
Tax Rules	OAS payments are taxable, and clawback applies if income exceeds $90,997

What is OAS (Old Age Security)?

Old Age Security (OAS) is a major retirement income program provided by the Government of Canada. It provides monthly payments to seniors who are 65 years of age or older. It is different from the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) because OAS is not based on your job and contributions, but on your citizenship and period of residence.

The OAS payment in 2025 is set at $2,254 per year ($187.83 per month), which is adjusted periodically in line with inflation. This benefit provides financial security for retired citizens.

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Eligibility for $2,254 OAS payment

You must meet the following conditions to receive OAS:

Age limit
- You must be at least 65 years old.
- You can apply 11 months before your 65th birthday.
Residence criteria

✅ If you live in Canada:

You must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
You must have lived in Canada for at least 10 years after turning 18.

✅ If you live outside Canada:

You must be a citizen or permanent resident before leaving Canada.
You must have lived in Canada for at least 20 years after turning 18.

If you meet these conditions, you will be eligible for the 2025 OAS payment.

How to claim the $2,254 OAS payment?

Many people are automatically enrolled for OAS payments, but if you haven’t received a notification letter, you will need to apply manually.

Steps to apply

1️⃣ Check your eligibility – make sure you meet the age and residency criteria.
2️⃣ Choose the right time to apply – you can apply up to 11 months before your 65th birthday.
3️⃣ Complete the application process:
- Online: Through My Service Canada Account.
- By mail: Download Form ISP-3550 from the government website and send it to the nearest service center.
- In person: Apply by visiting a service center.

4️⃣ Submit application and keep records – Keep a copy of all documents after completing the application.

The application process can take a few weeks, so apply ahead of time.

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Additional benefits: GIS (Guaranteed Income Supplement)

Low-income seniors can receive GIS (Guaranteed Income Supplement). This is a financial aid in addition to OAS.

✅ GIS eligibility:

You must live in Canada and be receiving OAS.
Your annual income must be below the government limits:
- For single seniors: less than $20,832.
- For married seniors: Dependent on combined income.

✅ GIS payment amount (2025):

Single seniors: up to $1,086.88 per month.
Married seniors: Based on combined income.

GIS payments are adjusted for inflation every three months.

2025 OAS payment dates

Month	Payment Date
January	January 29
February	February 27
March	March 26
April	April 26
May	May 29
June	June 26
July	July 29
August	August 28
September	September 25
October	October 29
November	November 27
December	December 20

If your payment does not arrive on time, contact Service Canada.

Are OAS payments taxable?

✅ Yes, OAS payments are taxable and must be reported on annual tax returns.

✅ If your annual income is more than $90,997, an OAS clawback (recovery tax) may apply.

📌 Tips to save on OAS clawback:

Make RRSP/RRIF withdrawals gradually.
Use a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA).
Consider income splitting with a spouse.

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Conclusion

In 2024, OAS will pay $2,254 yearly, which will serve as an essential economic support to Canadian seniors. If you think you qualify, it’s best to file early and maybe even get some money from the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) associated with it.

It’s all about having the correct information and schemes and proper planning so that one can make the retirement financially secure and so that there is no stress attached to it.