Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) Explained: Your 2025 guide to eligibility and benefits

You spent a lifetime doing your part. Now, it’s time to ensure you have the income to enjoy the retirement you earned.

Key details

  • What is the GIS? The Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) is a non-taxable monthly payment from the Canadian government.
  • Who is the GIS for? It’s designed for low-income Old Age Security (OAS) pensioners.
  • What does the GIS do? It helps provide extra financial support to make retirement more comfortable.
  • How can I get the GIS? Most people are automatically enrolled when they apply for and receive OAS. If not, you may need to submit a simple application.

Breathing room during your golden years

You did your part. For years—years that went by faster and slower than you ever would have imagined—you worked, you saved, you built a life. You did your part.

Now, in retirement, your job is to enjoy it. But for so many Canadians, there’s this nagging, tense question that’s hard to shake: “Will my income be enough to live comfortably without worrying?”

The Guaranteed Income Supplement, or GIS, eases that uncertainty.

In short, what is the Guaranteed Income Supplement?

The Guaranteed Income Supplement is a monthly, non-taxable payment designed to work alongside your Old Age Security (OAS) and other savings.

It’s not a handout or charity or a loan. It’s a promise kept—a commitment to ensure that a lifetime of contribution is met with security and peace of mind.

Who can qualify for the GIS?

Based on the guidelines from the Government of Canada, you may be able to receive the GIS if you meet all of the following conditions:

  • You are 65 years of age or older.
  • You live in Canada.
  • You are receiving the Old Age Security (OAS) pension.
  • Your income is below the maximum annual threshold. This threshold changes based on whether you are single, widowed, or have a spouse or common-law partner. We cover this in more detail in the "How much money could I receive?" section below.

We can’t give you a guaranteed yes or no—that’s for the government to handle. But, if you can say "yes" to these points, it's very likely you are eligible for some amount of GIS.

What is the difference between Old Age Security (OAS) and the GIS?

This is a common question, and it’s useful to see the two as collaborators, working together to give you the best retirement possible.

  • Old Age Security (OAS) is the foundational pension. Most Canadians who have lived in the country for at least 10 years after turning 18 will receive it.
  • The Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) is an additional layer of support that sits on top of OAS, but only for those with income below a certain level.

So, while most seniors get OAS, only those with lower incomes will also get the GIS. You cannot receive the GIS without first being eligible for OAS.

How does the Guaranteed Income Supplement work with other retirement income?

The government looks at your annual income (and your spouse's or common-law partner’s, if you have one) to determine if you’re eligible for the GIS and how much you’ll receive.

When doing this, it’ll take into account your other sources of income, like the Canadian Pension Plan (CPP), workplace pensions, or other savings you’re tapping into.

The key thing to remember is that the GIS is designed on a sliding scale. The lower your other income, the higher your GIS benefit will be.

Even if you have other income from CPP or a small pension, you could still be eligible for a partial GIS payment.

A special note on RRSPs and LIRAs

This is an important detail for anyone with a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) or a Locked-In Retirement Account (LIRA).

When you withdraw money from an RRSP or LIRA, that money is considered taxable income. Because your GIS eligibility is calculated based on your previous year's taxable income, any money you take out of these accounts will count towards your total.

This means that making a withdrawal from an RRSP or LIRA could reduce or even eliminate the amount of GIS you are eligible to receive in the following year (from July to June). Remember to think about your retirement income sources holistically, not separately.

How much money could I receive from the GIS?

The amount you receive depends on your marital status and your previous year's income. The government adjusts these numbers periodically to account for inflation.

Here are the maximum monthly GIS payment amounts and income cut-offs for 2025.

(Note: These are sample figures for illustrative purposes. Always check the official Canada.ca website for the most current numbers.)

If you are...And your yearly income is less than...You could receive up to...
Single, widowed, or divorced$21,624$1,065.47 per month
Married/common-law, and your partner receives the full OAS pension$28,560 (combined income)$641.35 per month
Married/common-law, and your partner does not receive an OAS pension$51,840 (combined income)$1,065.47 per month

Do I have to apply for the GIS?

The good news is that in most cases, you probably won't have to.

When you apply for your Old Age Security (OAS) pension, Service Canada will automatically assess your eligibility for the GIS using information from your tax return. If you qualify, you will be enrolled automatically.

However, you will need to apply for the GIS if:

  • You are already receiving OAS but have never received the GIS before.
  • Service Canada does not have enough information to enroll you automatically.
  • You receive a letter from Service Canada asking you to apply.

Your step-by-step guide to applying for the GIS

If you do need to apply, the process is straightforward.

  1. Get the form. You can find the "Application for the Guaranteed Income Supplement" (form ISP-3025) on the Canada.ca website or call Service Canada to have it mailed to you.
  2. Gather your information. You will need your Social Insurance Number (SIN) and information about your income.
  3. Fill out the application. The form will guide you through all the necessary information. Be sure to include details for your spouse or common-law partner if you have one.
  4. Submit the application. You can submit the form online through your My Service Canada Account or mail it to the address listed on the form.

What to expect after you apply

After you submit your application, you will receive a letter from Service Canada with a decision. This letter will tell you if you are eligible, how much your monthly payment will be, and when you will receive your first payment.

To continue receiving the GIS each year, you don't need to reapply. Your eligibility will be automatically reviewed every year based on the income you report on your tax return. This is why it is very important to file your taxes on time every year, even if you have no income to report.

When are the GIS payment dates?

GIS payments are made monthly. They are typically paid on the third-to-last banking day of each month.

Here are the scheduled GIS payment dates for 2025:

  • January 29, 2025
  • February 26, 2025
  • March 27, 2025
  • April 28, 2025
  • May 28, 2025
  • June 27, 2025
  • July 29, 2025
  • August 27, 2025
  • September 26, 2025
  • October 29, 2025
  • November 26, 2025
  • December 23, 2025

More questions? More answers

If your spouse or common-law partner also receives the GIS, your benefit amount will be adjusted based on your combined income. 

There are also related benefits, like the Allowance (for partners aged 60-64 of a GIS recipient) and the Allowance for the Survivor, which provide support in different situations.

If you or your spouse experience a drop in income due to retirement or other reasons, you can request that Service Canada calculate your GIS benefits using your estimated current year's income instead of last year's.

Generally, you can only receive the GIS for up to six months after you leave Canada. After that, payments are suspended until you return to live in the country. Your OAS pension, however, can often continue if you live abroad.

Yes, you can. The government wants to encourage seniors who wish to work to do so. There is a special exemption for employment income that lets you earn up to a certain amount per year without it affecting your GIS at all.

For income above that amount, your GIS is only partially reduced. This makes it possible to supplement your retirement income with part-time work without losing your GIS benefits entirely.

 "Clawback" is a term people sometimes use to describe how GIS payments are reduced as other income goes up. It’s not an official term, but it refers to the sliding scale of the benefit. 

For every dollar of income you have from sources like CPP or RRSP withdrawals, your GIS benefit is reduced by a set amount (typically 50 cents, but it can vary). This system ensures that the supplement is targeted to those with the lowest incomes.

 

 Yes, it's possible. If you were eligible for the GIS in the past but didn't apply, you may be able to receive retroactive payments. 

Generally, you can be paid retroactively for up to a maximum of 11 months from the date Service Canada receives your application. It is always best to apply as soon as you think you might be eligible.

 

This is a specific situation and the government’s official explainer will cover the most detail. As an overview, though, if you are a sponsored immigrant and have lived in Canada for less than 10 years after turning 18, you are typically not eligible for the GIS while you are still being sponsored.

However, this can change if your sponsor faces certain circumstances, such as passing away or declaring bankruptcy. If you are an immigrant who is not sponsored, you can receive the GIS as long as you meet the other eligibility requirements.

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