When should you start CPP and OAS?
CPP can start any time from 60 to 70 — OAS from 65 to 70. Delaying either increases the monthly amount for life, but means drawing more from your own savings in the meantime — and taxable income each year interacts with the OAS clawback, so the answer depends on your balances and spending, not just the actuarial tables.
This sweeps every CPP and OAS start-age combination for your numbers and ranks them the same way the plan builder does: fewest shortfall years first, then the largest resulting after-tax estate.
This assumes a single person retiring today with no further earnings. For a couple, pension splitting, or a working-years accumulation phase, build your full plan, free.
Related calculators
- CPP / OAS timing for couples
Start ages for both of you, with the survivor's pension
- RRSP meltdown calculator
Draw your RRSP down before OAS?
- Retirement income calculator
What can your savings support?