Old Age Security needs to be reformed — not expanded... The problem is the program’s clawback thresholds are too high... Only seniors earning above $148,000* are entirely ineligible. And because the program does not look at family income, a senior couple who together earn as much as $296,000* could still be eligible for some Old Age Security. 

Another worthy reform would be for the government to look at the family income of senior couples when determining eligibility for Old Age Security — a concept the government already applies to various other programs. Family income is considered for the Canada Child Benefit, the Canada Dental Care Plan, the GST/HST credit and, indeed, OAS’s sister program, the Guaranteed Income Supplement. The income threshold for many of these programs is far less generous than it is for Old Age Security. 

In short, there is much the federal parties could do to make Old Age Security more effective, affordable and fair. Simply increasing payouts to those who are already eligible misses the mark.

* 2026 figures are $186,000 of household income for full eligibility, with partial eligibility up to $304,000 for those ag 65-74 and $314,000 for those age 75+.