You do not automatically lose your Old Age Security (OAS) pension if you leave Canada, but payments may stop after six months if you do not meet specific residency or social security agreement requirements. You can receive OAS abroad if you lived in Canada for at least 20 years after age 18, or if you live in a country with a social security agreement with Canada.
If you decide to leave Canada to live elsewhere in the world your eligibility to receive the OAS pension is based on having lived in Canada for at least 20 years. If you lived in Canada for less than 20 years then you will receive your pension cheque for 6 months after you have left and then it will terminate.
Leaving or returning to Canada
Your Old Age Security (and Guaranteed Income Supplement) may stop if you're away for more than 6 months and don't qualify for receiving your payments while outside Canada.
In actual fact, you can be absent from Canada as long as you want. The Canadian government recognizes that citizens may travel extensively, work or study abroad. You will always maintain your Canadian citizenship. What absentia may affect is your Canadian health care coverage and income tax.
If you lived and worked in another country
If you have lived or are living outside Canada, you may qualify for both the Old Age Security pension and a pension from the other country—if that country has a social security agreement with Canada.
Fortunately, non-residents of Canada typically remain eligible for CPP and OAS payments. (It should be noted, though, that in order to receive OAS payments, Canadians living in the US must have lived in Canada for at least 20 years after turning 18.)
Services Australia outlines the following: If you're overseas for up to 6 weeks — Generally, your pension payments will continue as normal if you're travelling for less than 6 weeks. If you're overseas for more than 6 weeks — Once you reach 6 weeks, your pension supplement will drop to the basic rate.
Canada's 183-day rule is a key factor in determining tax residency: if you stay in Canada for 183 days or more in a calendar year, you're generally considered a resident for tax purposes for that entire year (a "deemed resident"), even if you don't have strong ties, subjecting your worldwide income to Canadian tax. However, this rule works alongside Canada's complex residency tests and tax treaties, meaning you might become a resident sooner with significant ties (like family or property) or avoid it if a treaty designates you a resident of another country.
Your provincial health plan must remain active for the entire duration of your trip. You will need to requalify for provincial health coverage if you leave and stay out of Canada beyond the maximum provincial time limits.
If you are a resident of both the United States and another country under each country's tax laws, you are a dual resident taxpayer. If you are a dual resident taxpayer, you can still claim the benefits under an income tax treaty.
If your net world income exceeds the threshold amount ($90,997 for 2024), you have to repay part or your entire OAS pension. Part or your entire OAS pension is reduced as a monthly recovery tax.
There Is No “Six-Months-Per-Year Rule” for Canadians. Many Canadians mistakenly believe they may only spend six months each year in the United States. The truth: There is no U.S. rule limiting Canadians to six months total per year.
For Canadians retiring overseas, knowing how to access their Canada Pension Plan payments while living abroad is crucial. The CPP allows eligible retirees to receive payments in foreign countries, but you still need to ensure proper arrangements are made before leaving Canada.
Yes, you can receive your Canada Pension Plan (CPP) payments while living outside Canada, as long as you meet the eligibility requirements. The CPP is a contributory plan, meaning you must have made sufficient contributions during your working years in Canada to qualify for benefits.
The $1,200 payment is a one-time direct deposit issued by the Canada Revenue Agency for seniors classified as low income based on their most recent tax return. The payment is not a loan, does not need to be repaid and does not replace existing monthly benefits.
To remain eligible for your Canadian provincial/territorial government health insurance, you cannot travel outside your province/territory of residence for a total of more than 7 months (212 days) within a year, or 6 months (183 days) if you live in Quebec, PEI or Nunavut. This includes travel within Canada.
Prepare to Pay for Previously Free Services
As a Canadian expat living, working or traveling overseas, you will not have access to many government-funded healthcare services. Therefore, you need extra health care insurance to bridge the gap.
Maintaining provincial health coverage (if applicable)
If you plan to live abroad part-time and keep your provincial or territorial health plan, most jurisdictions require that you be physically present in your home province for at least 182 days per calendar year.
As a Canadian citizen, you can get a Canadian passport. You can travel abroad for as long as you like and you will not lose your citizenship status, unlike Permanent Residents (PR).
Canadians travelling extensively, living or working abroad may still have to pay Canadian and provincial or territorial income taxes.
Pension Credit
This may be extended up to eight weeks if you're away because of the death of a close relative. If you're going abroad for medical treatment, you may be able to receive Pension Credit for up to 26 weeks. You can't keep receiving Pension Credit if you move abroad permanently.
Which Countries Have the Most Sustainable Pension Systems? Iceland, Denmark, and the Netherlands have the most financially sustainable pension systems due to well-balanced contribution rates and participation.
You'll need to contact the International Pension Centre to move your State Pension abroad. Also, if you're getting Pension Credit, it'll stop if you move abroad permanently. If you're moving abroad to receive medical treatment, you may still be able to receive this benefit for up to 26 weeks.