OAS benefits unchanged

Employment and Social Development Canada says the benefit amount for old age security (OAS) will stay the same for April to June.

The maximum basic OAS pension benefit paid to people 65 years of age and older will remain unchanged at $551.54 per month from April 1 to June 30, 2014.

Payments under the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), the Allowance and the Allowance for the Survivor will also remain unchanged.

OAS benefit amounts are reviewed quarterly (in January, April, July and October) and revised as required to reflect increases in the cost of living, as measured by the consumer price index (CPI) set by Statistics Canada.

OAS benefit amounts increased slightly for the first quarter of 2014, in response to an increase in the average CPI.

For those with direct deposit, the OAS payment dates for 2014 are April 28, May 28, June 26, July 29, August 27, September 26, October 29, November 26 and December 19. Those without direct deposit will usually receive their payment within the last three business days of each month.

Related articles: