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Pension question, Canada

Can I get Old Age Security if I live abroad?

OAS can be received while living abroad only if you lived in Canada at least 20 years after turning 18, or lived and worked in a social security agreement country with combined time of at least 20 years. Otherwise OAS (and GIS) may stop after more than 6 months away; you must call Service Canada before leaving for more than 6 months and on return to restart payments.

What to do next

  1. Count the years you lived in Canada after turning 18, with the dates you arrived and left.
  2. List the years you lived or worked in any country with a social security agreement with Canada.
  3. Run our free check to see which other countries may hold a pension in your name.

Check your own working life for free

Tell us where you worked. The free check shows which countries may hold a pension for you, and which can be ruled out and why. No sign in, no charge.

Run the free check

Questions people also ask

Is Old Age Security started automatically?

The automatic enrolment letter around age 64 is for Old Age Security and is sent only if Service Canada holds your information.

  • Source: canada.ca, CPP apply, CPP statement of contributions, My Service Canada Account registration and CPP contact, read 3 October 2026

How far back can a late OAS application be paid?

If the applicant had already turned 65 before the application was received, approval can be backdated no more than one year before the day the application was received.

Do you give advice on what to do?

No. We identify where a pension is likely held and the official route to it, and we name each source with the date we read it. We do not give financial, tax or legal advice.