In recent discussions, many Canadians have asked whether there will be a $400 increase in CPP / OAS benefits in October 2025.
This article unpacks what the government has confirmed, who will benefit, how much the increase will be, and when those payments arrive. We cut through the speculation and present the latest verified information (as of mid‑2025).
What Are CPP and OAS?
Before diving into changes, here’s a refresher:
- Old Age Security (OAS): A non‑contributory pension available to Canadians aged 65+, adjusted quarterly for inflation using the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
- Canada Pension Plan (CPP): A contributory pension tied to how much and how long you contributed during your working life. CPI adjustments for CPP are typically applied annually (in January).
These are two pillars of retirement support in Canada, and any “increase” often comes via built‑in inflation indexing rather than ad hoc top‑ups.
The “$400 Increase” — What’s Real, What’s Not
What the Government Has Confirmed
- For October to December 2025, OAS benefits will increase by 0.7%, based on changes in the CPI.
- The maximum monthly OAS amounts for that period are:
• Ages 65–74: $740.09
• Ages 75 and over: $814.10 - The quarterly adjustments for OAS are reviewed in January, April, July, and October.
- CPP has its inflation adjustments already baked in earlier in 2025 (in January) — there is no announced separate increase for October 2025.
Thus, a flat $400 increase in October 2025 across CPP and OAS is not supported by official data.
Why the “$400 Increase” Idea Persists
Some possible reasons the $400 figure circulates:
- People conflating OAS + CPP + GIS (Guaranteed Income Supplement) increases into one big number
- Viral social media posts oversimplifying inflation adjustments
- Confusion with past stimulus or one‑time benefit programs in other countries
But again: no government statement currently supports a $400 bonus or top-up in October 2025.
How Much Will Your Benefit Actually Rise?
Let’s see approximate impacts after the 0.7% OAS increase:
| Recipient Profile | Current OAS (pre‑Oct 2025) | Approx. Increase | New OAS After Oct 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aged 65–74 (max) | $740.09 | + 0.7% → ~$5.18 | ≈ $745.27 |
| Aged 75+ (max) | $814.10 | + 0.7% → ~$5.70 | ≈ $819.80 |
These gains are modest and far from a $400 bump.
CPP recipients will not see a separate October 2025 boost if they already received their annual adjustment.
Clawback, Eligibility & Other Considerations
- OAS Recovery Tax (“clawback”) begins when net world income surpasses a threshold (e.g. ~$90,997 for many recipients)
- High‑income seniors might see part or all of the increase offset by the clawback
- If you delay receiving OAS past age 65 (up to age 70), you can increase your pension by ~0.6% per month of delay, up to 36% extra
- CPP also rewards deferral: delaying CPP past 65 increases benefits by ~0.7% per month deferred in many cases
When Will October 2025 Payments Be Deposited?
The October 2025 payment date for both OAS (and associated top‑ups) and CPP is October 29, 2025.
Make sure your banking info in your My Service Canada Account is up to date so you don’t miss the deposit.
Practical Steps You Should Take
- Verify your benefit status in My Service Canada Account
- Update your direct deposit / banking info
- Estimate your October benefit using OAS tools plus your CPP levels
- Watch your net world income to avoid unnecessary clawback
- Consider deferring benefits (OAS or CPP) if you expect to live longer
- Stay alert for official announcements — any new policy beyond the 0.7% will be publicized
There will not be a one‑time $400 increase to CPP or OAS in October 2025. What is confirmed is a 0.7% inflation‑adjusted increase to OAS benefits starting October to December 2025, raising maximum monthly amounts to ~$740.09 (ages 65–74) and ~$814.10 (ages 75+).
CPP received its annual adjustment earlier, not in October. The payment date for both remains October 29, 2025.
FAQs
Will all OAS recipients get the full 0.7% increase?
Yes, eligible OAS recipients will see the increase applied automatically — though for very high incomes, the clawback may reduce net benefit.
Does CPP also increase in October 2025?
No, CPP adjustments occur in January; there is no separate October increase announced for 2025.
Could I see close to $400 extra in total benefits (OAS + CPP + GIS)?
Only in exceptional cases where someone combines modest increases across programs, but $400 is far above what the standard 0.7% OAS bump would generate.