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OAS Just Got Its Biggest Raise of 2026: What 1.4% Actually Pays

  Canadian Money Brief • Published October 2, 2026 Old Age Security is going up 1.4% for the October-to-December quarter, the biggest of the four quarterly adjustments in 2026. For a senior on the maximum pension, that works out to $10.53 more a month . Whether that feels like a raise or just a catch-up depends on a number most headlines skip: how much prices have risen over the past year. +$10.53 a month Maximum OAS for ages 65 to 74 goes from $751.97 to $762.50. That is about $126 more over a year, and it starts with the Oct. 28 deposit. What actually changes on October 28 The new rate applies to the Oct. 28 payment and the two after it (Nov. 26 and Dec. 22). Nothing needs to be filed. It applies to OAS, the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) and the Allowances automatically. Maximum monthly amount Jul–Sep 2026 Oct–Dec 2026 Change OAS, ages 65 to 74 $751.97 $762.50 +$10.53 OAS, age 75 and over $827.17 $838.75 +$11.58 GIS, single senior (approx.) $1,123.17 about $1,138.89 about +$...

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S&P/TSX Composite Closes Lower Amid Broader Losses

Canada’s main stock index, the S&P/TSX composite, closed lower on Friday, echoing the trend in U.S. markets. Despite earlier gains, the S&P/TSX composite index ended down 66.37 points at 21,875.79. The decline was driven by weakness in energy and industrials sectors.

Statistics Canada reported that real gross domestic product (GDP) grew 0.3% in April, but the early read for May showed growth slowing to 0.1% for the month. Consumers in Canada appear to be pulling back, impacted by higher interest rates over the past two years. Portfolio manager Hadiza Djataou noted that consumption is taking a hit, influencing stock performance.

In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was down 45.20 points at 39,118.86, the S&P 500 index dropped 22.39 points to 5,460.48, and the Nasdaq composite fell 126.08 points to 17,732.60. The U.S. Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge indicated a 2.6% rise in consumer prices for May, easing from April’s 2.7% reading.

The Canadian dollar traded at 73.06 cents US, and while Canada’s GDP data didn’t significantly impact interest rate expectations, Djataou anticipates further pressure on the loonie due to diverging economic trajectories between Canada and the U.S.


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