Province: CA
What Pensions Are Available For Seniors in Canada?
While some benefits are available to all seniors based on age, others are specifically for seniors with a low income. Financial assistance for seniors with a low income may involve an application like GIS or, may be automatic based on your tax return and/or other submitted and approved applications.
OAS - Old Age Security - must be 65 and a Canadian Resident for a minimum of 10 years - must apply
GIS - Guaranteed Income Supplement - for those getting no other income besides OAS - supplement is based on income and marital status - must apply
Allowance - for those between 60 and 64 - spouse must get OAS and be eligible for GIS - must apply
Allowance for Survivor - for those between 60 and 64 - deceased spouse, little or no income - must apply
For info on OAS call 1-800-277-9914 or visit https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp/old-age-security.html
CPP - Canada Pension Plan - for those who have worked and paid into the plan
QPP - similiar to CPP but for those in Quebec - contact 1-800-463-5185 or www.rrq.gouv.qc.ca/en for information
CPP does have provisions for child rearing, surviving spouses and those who are divorced or separated. An application form must be completed before benefits can be obtained. CPP payments can begin as early as 60 but the later you wait to apply, the greater the benefit. Applications should be submitted at least 6 months in advance of when you want to receive benefits. For more information call 1-800-277-9914 or visit https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp.html
Provincial Benefits - for those eligible for GIS, you may also wish to investigate benefits available through your home province for low income seniors. Contact 1-800-622-6232 to find out who to contact.
To find out what you might be eligible for visit www.canadabenefits.gc.ca
Esther Goldstein, B.Sc., B.S.W., RSW
connect@seniorcareaccess.com
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