The Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) is a component of Canada’s Old Age Security (OAS) system that delivers additional non-taxable financial support to retirees with low incomes.

As of May 2025, single retirees with incomes below $22,056 are eligible to receive the GIS. Retired couples are eligible if their combined income is below:

• $29,136 if a spouse/common-law partner receives full OAS benefits.
• $52,848 if a spouse/common-law partner does not receive OAS benefits.

The figures we use on federal government spending on OAS includes spending on GIS.

Our plan to eliminate seniors’ poverty could be implemented by increasing GIS benefits. At present, eligible single retirees can receive up to $1,087 per month, or $13,044 per year. The $5,000 increase we propose would increase this amount by over 38%.