OAS + GIS Retirement Income Calculator
Estimate your total Canadian retirement income in one place: OAS (net of recovery tax), GIS by marital category, CPP/QPP, the Allowance, and your other income sources. Rates current to April–June 2026.
Your Situation
First $5,000 fully exempt + next $10,000 at 50% (GIS rule).
GIS rates are effective Q3 2026 (Jul–Sep 2026), re-indexed quarterly to CPI.
Combined Retirement Income
Total annual (household)
$26,427
Total monthly
$2,202
GIS Eligibility
OAS Clawback (Recovery Tax)
Income Breakdown
| Source | Monthly | Annual | Taxable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| OAS (net of clawback) | $752 | $9,024 | Yes |
| CPP / QPP | $800 | $9,600 | Yes |
| GIS | $650 | $7,803 | Tax-free |
| Total household | $2,202 | $26,427 | — |
Key strategies
TFSA income doesn't count: TFSA withdrawals don't count for either OAS clawback or GIS means testing. Drawing from TFSA is the most tax-efficient source in retirement.
CPP is a GIS killer: Every dollar of CPP reduces GIS by ~$0.50 (single) or split across partners. If you have a small CPP and expect GIS, starting CPP late can be worse than starting early.
Employment exemption: The first $5,000 of employment or SE income is exempt from the GIS income test, plus 50% of the next $10,000. Part-time retirement work up to $15,000 only counts $5,000 toward GIS.
GIS is tax-free: GIS and the Allowance are not taxable and don't raise your marginal rate. OAS is taxable but CPP and RRIF are too — pension income splitting with a lower-income spouse can reduce both income tax and OAS clawback.
Apply for GIS: GIS is not automatic if you filed taxes but didn't receive OAS at the time — apply via Service Canada if you think you qualify. Retroactive payments go back up to 11 months.
Methodology: GIS is tapered linearly to the published Service Canada cutoff for each category — exact Service Canada amounts use two-tier rate tables internally but align at the endpoints. OAS recovery tax follows the standard 15% formula above the net-income threshold ($95,323 in 2026). Rates effective Q3 2026 (Jul–Sep 2026). This is an estimate — apply through Service Canada for your exact benefit.
OAS + GIS maximum monthly amounts (Q3 2026 (Jul–Sep 2026))
Current maximum benefits and the income at which each is reduced to zero. GIS, the Allowance, and the Allowance for the Survivor are non-taxable and re-indexed to CPI each quarter; OAS is taxable and subject to the recovery tax.
| Benefit | Max monthly | Reduced to $0 at |
|---|---|---|
| OAS pension, ages 65–74 | $751.97 | Recovery tax from $95,323 |
| OAS pension, ages 75+ | $827.17 | Recovery tax from $95,323 |
| GIS — single / widowed / divorced | $1123.17 | $22,800 income |
| GIS — couple, both receive OAS (each) | $676.09 | $30,096 combined |
| GIS — partner not receiving OAS | $1123.17 | $54,624 combined |
| Allowance (spouse aged 60–64) | $1428.06 | $42,144 combined |
| Allowance for the Survivor (60–64) | $1702.34 | $30,696 income |
GIS income cutoffs exclude OAS itself. The first $5,000 of employment/self-employment income is fully exempt from the GIS income test, plus 50% of the next $10,000.
Worked example — single senior, $18,000 other income
A single 70-year-old receives the full $751.97/month OAS ($9,024/year). Their net income is well under the $95,323 recovery threshold, so no OAS is clawed back.
They also have $18,000 of CPP and RRIF income. Because that is below the $22,800 single GIS cutoff, they still receive a partial GIS top-up (GIS reduces by roughly $1/month for every $24 of annual income). Drawing the same $18,000 from a TFSA instead would not count as income — preserving more GIS.
Related retirement tools
OAS Clawback Calculator
Focused look at the OAS recovery tax at any income level with income-step table.
CPP & OAS Start Age Calculator
When to start CPP and OAS — breakeven vs deferral bonus.
Full Retirement Income Calculator
Combined projection including TFSA and RRIF drawdown.
Pension Splitting Calculator
Split pension income with a spouse to reduce clawback.
Related Calculators
- OAS Clawback Calculator — Recovery tax details
- CPP & OAS Start Age — When to start
- RRIF Minimum Withdrawal — Required withdrawals impact GIS
- TFSA Calculator — Tax-free income doesn't reduce GIS
Sources
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum GIS in 2026?
For Q2 2026 (April–June), the maximum monthly GIS is $1,109.85 for a single, widowed, or divorced senior, $668.08 for each member of a couple where both receive OAS, and $1,109.85 when a partner does not receive OAS. The Allowance for a spouse aged 60–64 is up to $1,411.13/month. Rates are re-indexed quarterly to CPI.
At what income does GIS get fully clawed back?
GIS phases to $0 at these Q2 2026 income cutoffs: $22,512 (single), $29,760 combined (couple both receiving OAS), $53,952 combined (couple with one partner not receiving OAS), and $41,664 combined (spouse receives the Allowance). Your CPP, RRIF and other taxable income count — OAS does not.
Does CPP affect GIS?
Yes — CPP is fully counted in the GIS income test. Every $24 of annual CPP (or other income) reduces monthly GIS by approximately $1. TFSA withdrawals are the only major retirement income source that does not reduce GIS.
Can I work and still get GIS?
Yes. The GIS employment-income exemption fully excludes the first $5,000 of earned or self-employment income and applies a 50% exemption to the next $10,000. So a GIS recipient earning up to $15,000 only has $5,000 counted for the income test.
Is GIS taxable?
No. GIS and the Allowance are not taxable. You report them on your T1 return for record purposes but they do not increase your net income or marginal tax rate. OAS, by contrast, is fully taxable and subject to the recovery tax above ~$95,000.
Last updated June 2026. OAS/GIS amounts (Q3 2026 (Jul–Sep 2026)) and the $95,323 recovery threshold verified against Service Canada.