How to Claim the $4,000 CPP & OAS Bonus in 2025 – Eligibility Criteria and Payment Dates

For Canadian retirees, every dollar counts. That’s why many are taking a closer look at how to get the most out of their Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Old Age Security (OAS) benefits. With the right strategy, you could increase your annual income by up to $4,000 or more just by timing your benefits smartly. In this guide, we’ll break down how it works, who’s eligible, and how you can start making the most of your retirement money in 2025.

Let’s walk through what these benefits offer and how to claim the full bonus.

Overview

Many seniors don’t realize that delaying their pension benefits can significantly increase their income. You won’t get a lump sum bonus from the government, but you can create your own $4,000 annual boost by planning when to start collecting.

Feature	Details
Bonus Amount	Up to $4,000 annually by deferring CPP and OAS
Eligibility	Canadians aged 65+ who qualify for CPP and OAS
Strategy	Delay CPP and OAS until age 70 for maximum payout
2025 Payment Dates	Jan 29, Feb 26, Mar 27, Apr 28, May 28, Jun 26, Jul 29, Aug 27, Sep 25, Oct 29, Nov 26, Dec 22
Source	Canada.ca Pension Benefits

Programs

Understanding what CPP and OAS offer is key to maximizing their value.

Canada Pension Plan (CPP)

This is based on how much and how long you contributed while working.

• Maximum at age 70 in 2025: $1,364.60/month
• Eligibility: Contributed during working years (usually age 18+)
• Early Claim Penalty: Starting before 65 reduces your monthly amount
• Deferral Benefit: Increase of 0.7% per month if delayed past 65

Old Age Security (OAS)

Funded through general taxes, OAS is a benefit available to most Canadian seniors.

• Maximum at age 65 in 2025: $727.67/month
• Maximum at age 70 in 2025: $989.63/month
• Clawback: High-income earners may see a reduction due to the OAS Recovery Tax
• Deferral Benefit: Increases by 0.6% per month after age 65

Bonus

So how does the $4,000 bonus work? It comes from strategic deferral—waiting until age 70 to claim CPP and OAS.

Delay CPP to Age 70

If you qualify for $960/month at age 65, delaying boosts your payment to around $1,363/month.

• Extra per month: $403
• Extra per year: $4,836
• Over 20 years: $96,720 more in retirement income

Delay OAS to Age 70

At 65, the benefit is $727/month. Delaying increases it to $989/month.

• Extra per month: $262
• Extra per year: $3,144
• Over 20 years: $62,880 additional income

When combined, you’re looking at nearly $8,000 more per year—and roughly $159,600 extra over two decades. That’s well beyond the $4,000 bonus many focus on.

GIS

Don’t forget the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS). This program helps low-income seniors top up their monthly income even more.

GIS Eligibility

• Must receive OAS
• Income threshold:
  • Under $21,456 for singles
  • Under $28,320 for couples
• Maximum GIS: $1,065.47/month in 2025

If your income is low, combining OAS and GIS could add thousands more per year.

Dates

Here are the 2025 government pension payment dates to watch for:

Month	Payment Date
January	29
February	26
March	27
April	28
May	28
June	26
July	29
August	27
September	25
October	29
November	26
December	22

Make sure you’re signed up for direct deposit to receive payments on time.

Tips

1. Do the math: Use online calculators to compare early vs. delayed benefits.
2. Speak to a planner: A retirement advisor can help tailor a strategy to your goals.
3. Think long-term: If you’re in good health and expect a longer retirement, delaying benefits often pays off.
4. Consider your spouse: Coordinating your timing together may bring more household income.

Example

Let’s say David turns 65 in 2025. He qualifies for $960 in CPP and $727 in OAS. If he delays both until 70, he’ll receive about $1,364 (CPP) and $989 (OAS), adding over $4,000 annually. Even with a modest life expectancy, that delay could pay off significantly.

FAQs