- The OAS pension amount depends on age and years in Canada, not marital status.
- GIS amounts and income cut-offs differ for single, divorced or widowed people and for people with a spouse.
- You must report marital status changes to Service Canada as soon as possible.
- Dollar amounts are indexed quarterly, so confirm current figures before you plan around them.
If you are 65 or older and your marriage is ending, one of your first worries may be what happens to your monthly federal benefits. Old Age Security (OAS) and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) are treated differently, and GIS in particular is tied to income and marital status.
This article explains the general rules from Canada's published benefit information, and what to do when your status changes. Your own result depends on your income and circumstances, so treat the figures as examples, not predictions.
OAS: age and years in Canada, not marital status
For October to December 2026, the OAS pension is up to $762.50 a month at ages 65 to 74 and up to $838.75 a month at 75 and over. The amount depends on age and years in Canada, not marital status.
A recovery tax applies to OAS above $93,454 of net income (the 2025 threshold). Whether a divorce changes your income enough to matter for the recovery tax depends on your situation. An accountant can look at that.
GIS: income and marital status both matter
GIS is a monthly supplement for lower-income seniors. The maximums on Canada's page, dated October 2026 and indexed quarterly, depend on whether you are single, divorced or widowed, or have a spouse, and on income.
| Situation | Maximum GIS and income limit |
|---|---|
| Single, divorced or widowed | Up to $1,138.90 a month if income is under $23,112 |
| Spouse receives full OAS | Up to $685.56 each if combined income is under $30,528 |
| Spouse receives the Allowance | Up to $685.56 if combined income is under $42,768 |
| Spouse receives neither OAS nor Allowance | Up to $1,138.90 if combined income is under $55,392 |
How GIS applies to spouses who separate because the relationship broke down, and from what date, should be confirmed directly with Service Canada.
Reporting the change
Marital status changes must be reported to Service Canada as soon as possible, including through My Service Canada Account. GIS is reviewed every year from your tax return, and you receive a renewal letter in July.
Couples who live apart for reasons beyond their control, such as one spouse being in long-term care, may get a higher benefit by filing form ISP-3040. Whether that applies to your situation is worth confirming with Service Canada.
How the divorce itself can change your income
Because GIS depends on income, what you receive in the divorce may matter. An Ontario pension counts as property in the division. Spousal support is considered by looking at each spouse's means, needs and circumstances. An RRSP transfer to a spouse's or former spouse's RRSP or RRIF on marriage breakdown is allowed if you are living separate and apart and the transfer is under a court order or written separation agreement to settle property rights. It is not included in income just because of the transfer.
- Support payments you receive or pay can change your income picture.
- Pension and RRSP division can change who holds income-producing assets.
How these items are counted for GIS or tax in your case is not something a general article can settle. Ask an accountant or Service Canada before signing a settlement.
What to do next
- Note your separation date and your divorce date once known.
- Log in to My Service Canada Account and report the change as soon as possible.
- Estimate your own income after the settlement, including pensions and support.
- Compare it with the current GIS limits, which change each quarter.
- Ask an accountant how a settlement structure affects your income.
- Keep your July renewal letter and tax return filed on time.
Frequently asked questions
Will divorce reduce my OAS?
The OAS pension amount depends on age and years in Canada, not marital status. Your income could still affect the recovery tax, which applies above $93,454 of net income (the 2025 threshold).
Do I need to tell Service Canada if I separate?
Marital status changes must be reported to Service Canada as soon as possible, including through My Service Canada Account. Whether your separation counts as a reportable change, and from what date, is worth confirming with Service Canada.
Could my GIS go up after divorce?
Possibly. Single, divorced or widowed people may receive up to $1,138.90 a month if income is under $23,112, but the result depends on your income. Confirm your own situation with Service Canada.
Are these amounts permanent?
No. Benefit amounts are indexed quarterly, and the figures shown here were published in October 2026. Check current amounts before making decisions.
Sources
- Divorce Act (Justice Laws) — Justice Laws (federal)
- Ontario.ca - Dividing property when a marriage or common law relationship ends — ontario.ca
- Income Tax Act s. 146 (Justice Laws) — Justice Laws (federal)
- Canada.ca - GIS: How much you could receive — canada.ca
- Canada.ca - OAS payment amounts — canada.ca
- Canada.ca - GIS: Receiving your benefit — canada.ca
Links go to official government, court and regulator pages. The law changes — confirm you are reading the current version.
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