CPP & OAS Timing Calculator
Optimize when to start your Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Old Age Security (OAS) benefits. See how different timing strategies impact your lifetime retirement income.
tl;dr
CPP and OAS are separate programs, and you choose when each one starts. Starting CPP early permanently lowers every payment, and delaying it permanently raises them. OAS can't start early, but delaying it also raises the payment. The best ages depend on when you need the income, what else you'll be living on, and whether the OAS clawback will reach you, so the calculator compares your lifetime income under each timing.
Cumulative Benefits by Age
Total benefits received over time, showing early vs delayed start trade-offs.
Timing Options
$965/mo (0.0% vs 60)
$750/mo (0.0% vs 65)
Max: $1,508
Use our life expectancy calculator to estimate
Monthly Combined
$1715
CPP + OAS benefits
CPP at 60
0.0%
vs starting at 60
OAS at 65
0.0%
vs starting at 65
Total Advantage
0.0%
vs earliest start
Lifetime Value Analysis (to Age 85)
Lifetime CPP
$301K
Starting at 60
Lifetime OAS
$199K
Starting at 65
Total Lifetime
$500K
Combined benefits
vs Baseline
+$0
CPP@60 + OAS@65
Key Insights
Detailed Annual Breakdown
Year-by-year benefits with OAS step-up at age 75 (shown in today's dollars)
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Why Timing Matters
CPP and OAS are paid for life and indexed to inflation, and the age you start each one permanently sets the size of every payment. Starting CPP at 60 instead of 70 means a monthly payment about 45% as large, for the rest of your life. The right choice depends on when you need the income, what else you'll live on, whether you're still working, and the OAS clawback — which is why comparing lifetime income across start ages beats any rule of thumb.
How the Adjustments Work
Both programs change your payment by a fixed percentage for each month you start before or after the standard age.
- 1. CPP before 65: 0.6% less for each month early, down to 36% less at 60.
- 2. CPP after 65: 0.7% more for each month you wait, up to 42% more at 70.
- 3. OAS can't start before 65; each month you defer adds 0.6%, up to 36% at 70.
- 4. The calculator totals the payments under each timing and finds the break-even age where waiting pays off.
- 5. OAS is reduced by the recovery tax (the clawback) when your net income passes the annual threshold.
Payment Adjustment by Start Age
| Start age | CPP | OAS |
|---|---|---|
| 60 | −36% | Not available |
| 61 | −28.8% | Not available |
| 62 | −21.6% | Not available |
| 63 | −14.4% | Not available |
| 64 | −7.2% | Not available |
| 65 | No change | No change |
| 66 | +8.4% | +7.2% |
| 67 | +16.8% | +14.4% |
| 68 | +25.2% | +21.6% |
| 69 | +33.6% | +28.8% |
| 70 | +42% | +36% |
Compared with starting at the standard age. The adjustment is permanent and applies to every payment.
Common Questions
What's the earliest age I can start CPP and OAS?
CPP can start as early as age 60, but you'll receive 36% less than if you wait until 65 (0.6% reduction per month). OAS can start at age 65 (no early option). Delaying CPP until age 70 increases it by 42% (0.7% per month after 65).
Should I take CPP early at 60 or wait until 70?
It depends on your health, financial needs, life expectancy, and other retirement income. Generally: take early if you need the income now or have shorter life expectancy; delay if you're healthy, still working, or have other income sources. Use our calculator to model different scenarios.
Can I start CPP and OAS at different ages?
Yes! CPP and OAS are independent programs. A common strategy is to take CPP early (age 60-65) if you need income, while delaying OAS if you have other income sources. OAS can be clawed back at income levels above $95,323 (2026 threshold).
What is the OAS clawback and how does it work?
If your net income exceeds $95,323 (2026), you must repay 15% of the excess. Full OAS is clawed back at $155,320. This means higher earners might benefit from delaying OAS to years when their income is lower, such as after they stop working.
Can I still work while receiving CPP or OAS?
Yes! However, if you're under 65 and receiving CPP, you must still contribute to CPP (building more benefits). OAS isn't affected by working, but high employment income could trigger the OAS clawback. CPP contributions stop at age 70 regardless.
Before You Decide
- ✓Get your CPP Statement of Contributions from My Service Canada Account — your own record sets your pension.
- ✓If you're still working, delaying CPP and OAS is often worth it.
- ✓Check whether your income will trigger the OAS clawback — deferring OAS can help.
- ✓If you're in a couple, plan both pensions together, and check the survivor picture with the CPP survivor calculator.
- ✓Model the whole plan in the Canadian retirement calculator.