How Much Is the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) in 2026?
Maximum amounts, how your benefit is calculated, and real examples for singles and couples.
Your GIS amount depends on two things: your marital status and your income from last year. The maximums below are what you receive with little or no other income — the benefit shrinks as your income rises.
Maximum Monthly GIS Amounts (2026)
| Your situation | Max / month |
|---|---|
| Single, divorced or widowed | up to $1,109.85 |
| Spouse receives full OAS | up to $668.08 |
| Spouse receives the Allowance | up to $668.08 |
| Spouse receives no OAS or Allowance | up to $1,109.85 |
How Your Amount Is Calculated
The GIS is reduced by about 50 cents for every $1 of other net income you have. A set amount of employment income — around $5,000 a year — is exempt before that reduction begins.
So a single senior with a small CPP payment still receives a meaningful GIS, just less than the full maximum.
OAS + GIS Combined: The Real Total
With maximum OAS plus maximum GIS, a single low-income senior receives roughly $1,850 per month in federal benefits. There is no special “$2,200 cheque” — those headlines simply add the two benefits together.
That combined floor is the foundation many seniors build the rest of their retirement income on top of.
Other Ways Seniors Boost Their Retirement Income
Because the GIS replaces only part of a low income, many seniors look at additional sources to top it up. Some sit down with a financial advisor for seniors to map out a simple retirement income planning approach.
Others compare annuity options for steady monthly income, or look into a reverse mortgage in Canada to draw on home equity without selling — each with trade-offs worth understanding before deciding.
👉 Like the numbers? You only keep them if you stay eligible. Check the eligibility rules.
👉 Ready to claim it? See how to apply and the 2026 payment dates.
Quick Questions About the Amount
Does my CPP reduce my GIS?
CPP does not lower it directly, but it counts as income in the calculation, so more CPP usually means a smaller GIS.
Do couples receive more or less?
Each spouse’s maximum is lower, but the household total is often higher than a single person’s.
Can my amount change during the year?
Yes. It is reviewed quarterly for inflation, and recalculated each July from your latest tax return.
Independent guide — not affiliated with or endorsed by the Government of Canada or Service Canada. 2026 figures may change quarterly; confirm at canada.ca.