What is the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)?
The Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) is a non-taxable monthly payment provided to low-income Old Age Security (OAS) recipients living in Canada.
GIS is reviewed annually every July based on income reported on line 23600 of your prior year tax return (excluding OAS pension income itself).
The Full & Partial Employment Earnings Exemption
1. Full Exemption ($5,000): The first $5,000 of employment or self-employment earnings is completely exempt. Your GIS is not reduced by a single dollar.
2. Partial Exemption (50% on next $10,000): On earnings between $5,000 and $15,000, 50% is exempt, meaning only $5,000 of that $10,000 counts toward GIS clawback.
Total protected working income: A senior can earn up to $15,000 while only $5,000 is counted against their GIS benefit calculation.
Maximum GIS Rates & Income Ceilings
Single, Widowed, or Divorced Senior: Up to $1,072.93/month with net non-OAS income ceiling of approx. $21,768.
Spouse/Partner also receiving OAS: Up to $645.84/month each with combined income ceiling of approx. $28,752.
Spouse/Partner does not receive OAS: Up to $1,072.93/month with combined income ceiling of approx. $52,176.
Involuntary Separation & Loss of Pension Provisions
If your spouse enters a long-term care facility or hospital, you can apply for GIS as a single person under "Involuntary Separation" rules, significantly increasing your monthly benefit payment.
If you recently retired or experienced a reduction in pension income, submit Form ISP-3041 to base GIS on your current estimated income rather than prior year tax returns.