$1,850 OAS Payment Increase Announced – Check If You Qualify & When It’s Coming

If you’re a Canadian senior or approaching retirement, you might have seen headlines or social media posts about a supposed $1,850 OAS pension payment boost in 2025. Sounds promising, right? But before you start planning how to spend that extra cash, let’s separate fact from fiction.

In this guide, we’ll cover what the Old Age Security (OAS) really pays, how it’s adjusted, who qualifies, and what to expect next. Plus, we’ll look into what benefits actually exist, including GIS, and how to stay informed through official sources.

Overview

Despite all the online buzz, there is no confirmed $1,850 lump-sum OAS boost coming in 2025. The OAS program continues to operate as usual with quarterly adjustments based on inflation.

Many people may have confused the combined total of OAS and GIS payments, or multiple months of OAS payments, with a one-time bonus.

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Here’s what the facts say:

Rumor

Let’s be clear: the Government of Canada has not announced any one-time $1,850 OAS boost. The number likely came from a misunderstanding, such as the accumulation of monthly OAS plus GIS payments or a quarterly inflation increase.

OAS benefits are adjusted based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), but these increases are small and incremental—not sudden or large lump-sum bonuses.

OAS

Old Age Security is a monthly pension available to Canadians aged 65 or older who meet basic residency and legal status criteria. It’s funded by general tax revenues and is not based on your past employment history.

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Here’s the current payout for 2025:

• $727.67/month for ages 65 to 74
• $800.44/month for those 75 and older

These amounts may increase slightly each quarter to keep up with inflation.

Note: If your net annual income exceeds $90,997 (2024 threshold), your OAS may be clawed back under the OAS Recovery Tax.

Eligibility

To qualify for OAS, you must meet these conditions:

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1. Age 65 or older
2. Canadian citizen or legal resident
3. Lived in Canada for at least 10 years after age 18 (or 20 years if applying from abroad)

There’s no need to have worked or paid into a pension system like CPP to receive OAS, but it does require a residency track record.

Adjustments

OAS payments are adjusted every January, April, July, and October. These adjustments are based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), ensuring your benefit reflects the cost of living.

If inflation goes up, your OAS goes up. If inflation drops, your payment stays the same—it never decreases.

Historically, these quarterly increases range from 0.5% to 1% per quarter, depending on the economy.

Payments

Here’s a look at the expected OAS payment dates for 2025:

Direct deposit is the fastest and safest way to receive your pension. You can sign up through your My Service Canada Account (MSCA).

Apply

Most people are automatically enrolled around their 65th birthday, but not everyone. To apply:

1. Check your mailbox for a Service Canada enrollment letter
2. If no letter arrives, apply online via MSCA or by paper form
3. Submit your application about 6 months before your 65th birthday
4. Wait for approval (processing typically takes 1 to 3 months)

Make sure your information, such as banking and tax details, is accurate to avoid delays.

GIS

For low-income seniors, the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) adds extra monthly support. GIS is non-taxable and is paid along with OAS.

As of January 2025, single seniors can receive up to $1,065.47/month through GIS.

That’s why some people might think there’s a one-time $1,850 payment—it’s often the combined monthly total of OAS and GIS that’s being misunderstood.

To apply for GIS, just tick the box during your OAS application. Service Canada will assess your eligibility based on your annual income.

Avoiding Scams

With so much fake news and online scams floating around, here’s how to stay safe:

• Rely only on updates from Canada.ca or Service Canada
• Don’t trust random social media posts or clickbait headlines
• Never give out personal info by phone or email unless you’re sure it’s legit
• Sign up for notifications via My Service Canada Account

Planning your retirement means staying informed and avoiding misinformation. While there’s no $1,850 OAS boost confirmed, plenty of legitimate support exists. Use the tools available, know your entitlements, and make decisions with real information—not rumors.

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