Canadian retirement income comes from three main sources: CPP (Canada Pension Plan), OAS (Old Age Security), and personal savings primarily through RRSP and TFSA. In 2026, the maximum CPP retirement benefit at age 65 is approximately $1,364/month, and the maximum OAS payment is approximately $727/month — together providing $2,091/month or $25,092/year in government benefits. Most Canadians need additional RRSP or TFSA savings to maintain their pre-retirement lifestyle. The amount you need depends heavily on your province of retirement — Quebec taxes RRSP withdrawals more heavily than Alberta, potentially reducing your net retirement income significantly.
2026 illustrative amounts — not your Service Canada or CRA statement. Clawback uses simplified net income.
For context only; benefit ages come from the sliders below.
Lifetime to age 85 assumes benefits from start age through 85. CPP/OAS comparison columns fix CPP at 60, 65, or 70 with your OAS slider and inputs.
On employment + other + CPP + OAS (after clawback), simplified credits.
CPP vs OAS (monthly at chosen ages)
CPP breakeven (lifetime to a given age)
Starting CPP at 70 beats starting at 65 around age 81.9 (cumulative CPP only, same contributions).
Starting at 65 beats starting at 60 around age 73.9.
Start CPP at 60 vs 65 vs 70
| Start at 60 | Start at 65 | Start at 70 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPP monthly | $783.77 | $1,224.64 | $1,738.99 |
| OAS monthly | $727.67 | $727.67 | $727.67 |
| Combined | $1,511.44 | $1,952.31 | $2,466.66 |
| Lifetime to 85 | $409,772 | $468,554 | $487,659 |
| Benefit | Maximum Monthly | Maximum Annual | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPP (age 65) | ~$1,364 | ~$16,375 | Contributed to CPP |
| CPP (age 70, enhanced) | ~$1,937 | ~$23,250 | Deferred to 70 |
| OAS (age 65) | ~$727 | ~$8,723 | 40 years in Canada |
| GIS (low income) | Up to ~$1,065 | ~$12,780 | Income-tested |
The 2026 RRSP contribution limit is $33,810 — or 18% of your 2025 earned income, whichever is lower — plus unused room carried forward from previous years. RRSP contributions reduce your taxable income dollar-for-dollar, generating an immediate tax refund. At $90,000 income in Ontario, a $10,000 RRSP contribution generates approximately $3,800–$4,200 refund. RRSP withdrawals in retirement are taxed as ordinary income — making Alberta an attractive retirement province due to its lower provincial tax rates.
Where you retire significantly impacts your net retirement income. RRSP withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income at your provincial + federal rate. At $60,000 annual retirement income (RRSP withdrawals + CPP + OAS), an Alberta retiree pays approximately $10,000–$12,000 in combined tax vs $13,000–$15,000 in Ontario and $16,000–$18,000 in Quebec. Over a 25-year retirement, this difference of $3,000–$6,000 per year compounds to $75,000–$150,000 in cumulative tax savings for Alberta retirees.
| RRSP | TFSA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 limit | $33,810 | $7,000 |
| Tax deduction | Yes — now | No |
| Tax on withdrawal | Yes — as income | No — tax-free |
| Best for | High income now | Lower income or tax-free growth |
| Cumulative room (since 2009) | Based on income | Up to $109,000+ |
A common Canadian retirement benchmark is 70% of pre-retirement income. At $80,000 pre-retirement income, you need approximately $56,000/year in retirement. Government benefits (CPP + OAS) provide approximately $25,092/year at maximum. The remaining $30,908/year must come from RRSP, TFSA, or other savings. To generate $30,908/year from a portfolio using the 4% withdrawal rule, you need approximately $772,700 in savings at retirement. Starting RRSP contributions at age 30 vs age 40 can make a $300,000–$500,000 difference in retirement savings.
The maximum CPP retirement benefit at age 65 is approximately $1,364/month ($16,375/year) in 2026. The average CPP benefit is significantly lower at approximately $750–$900/month. Deferring CPP to age 70 increases payments by 42%, to approximately $1,937/month.
The maximum OAS payment at age 65 is approximately $727/month ($8,723/year) in 2026. OAS is available to Canadians who have lived in Canada for at least 40 years after age 18. OAS is clawed back for high-income seniors earning above approximately $90,997.
A common benchmark is 70% of pre-retirement income. At $80,000 pre-retirement income, you need $56,000/year. Government benefits (max CPP + OAS) provide approximately $25,092/year. The remaining ~$31,000/year requires approximately $775,000 in RRSP/TFSA savings using the 4% withdrawal rule.
Alberta is generally considered the best province for retirement from a tax perspective — lower provincial income tax on RRSP withdrawals saves $3,000–$6,000 per year vs Ontario or Quebec at typical retirement income levels. Over a 25-year retirement, this can mean $75,000–$150,000 in tax savings.
RRSP is best if your income now is higher than it will be in retirement — you get the deduction at a high rate and pay tax on withdrawal at a lower rate. TFSA is best for lower incomes or if you expect similar retirement income. Most Canadians benefit from contributing to both.
You can start CPP as early as age 60 (reduced by 7.2% per year before 65) or defer to age 70 (increased by 8.4% per year after 65). Deferring to 70 increases payments by 42% vs taking at 65. The break-even age for deferring is approximately 82 — if you expect to live past 82, deferring is mathematically better.
Educational estimates only. Not financial advice.