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SeniorsBC

Income Security

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Low-income seniors may be eligible for the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS). The GIS provides additional income on top of your Old Age Security Pension. The amount you receive is based on your annual income, or the combined income of you and your spouse or common-law partner from the previous calendar year.

You won’t receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement automatically. You need to make an initial application for the GIS in order to receive it. Instructions are available from the Service Canada website.

Allowance / Allowance for the Survivor Benefits

If you are 60 to 64 and your spouse or common-law partner receives the Old Age Security pension and is eligible for the Guaranteed Income Supplement, you should apply for a benefit called the Allowance.

If you are 60-64, have little or no income, and your spouse or common-law partner has died, you should apply for a benefit called the Allowance for the Survivor.

Canada Pension Plan

If you contributed to the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) while you were working, you can apply for your retirement pension as early as age 60 and receive a reduced pension or as late as age 70 and receive an increased pension. Those who apply for their pension to begin at age 65 are not subject to the reduction for early commencement or increase for later commencement. Ideally, you should apply at least six months before you want to begin receiving your retirement pension.

You may also be eligible for CPP disability benefits if you are under age 65 and not in receipt of a CPP retirement pension. At the contributor's death, there may also be eligibility for benefits to survivors. If you or your spouse lived and worked in another country, you may also be eligible for CPP benefits, provided that the country has a social security agreement with Canada. CPP payments are made anywhere in the world. More information and application instructions for all CPP benefits are available on the Service Canada website.

B.C. Senior’s Supplement

Low-income seniors who receive Old Age Security and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) may also be eligible to receive the monthly B.C. Senior’s Supplement. It is paid automatically to eligible seniors – you do not need to apply for the GIS to receive it.

B.C. Income Assistance for Seniors Not Receiving Old Age Security

If you are 65 or over and aren’t eligible for the Old Age Security Pension and the Guaranteed Income Supplement, you may still be eligible for assistance, based on your income, assets and other factors.

For more information, contact the Ministry of Social Development by calling 1 866 866-0800 (press 3 + 1) or visiting the B.C. Employment and Assistance page of their website.

Employment Insurance

If you continue working after age 65, you are still eligible for Employment Insurance (EI) benefits if you meet the necessary conditions. You can receive EI benefits and your pension at the same time. Your EI benefits will not be affected by your pension, provided that, after the start date of your pension, you accumulate sufficient hours to meet minimum entrance requirements. Your pension income will not be affected by any EI payments you may receive during retirement. You can apply for EI benefits on line. Application instructions are available at the Service Canada website.

Veterans’ Benefits

If you are a military veteran, you may be eligible for disability benefits and other assistance from Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC).

You can read the Entitlement Eligibility Guidelines on line at the Veterans Affairs Canada website. If you are a VAC disability pensioner who has a spouse or common-law partner or other dependants, you may be entitled to receive additional benefits.