After OAS, the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is probably the best-known cash subsidy delivered by Ottawa. Families receiving the CCB don’t benefit from the same level of generosity extended to retirees.

Ottawa claws back the Canada Child Benefit from families with kids when their household income surpasses $79,000. By contrast, retired couples can have $180,000 in combined income before OAS payments are reduced. This disparity persists even though compared to young families, retirees have the lowest rates of poverty, the highest levels of wealth, and a great deal of housing security (since 70% are home owners).

Sadly, fewer than half of Canadians are aware that low-income families with kids receive smaller cash benefits than retirees. Younger age groups are somewhat more likely to be aware of the discrepancy, but just 31% of Canadians ag 65+ know that the cash benefits they receive exceed what’s available to families with kids.