National Seniors Day 2026: CPP Turns 60 as OAS Heads Toward Its 75th Anniversary
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On October 1, 2026, Canada marked the 15th National Seniors Day. The occasion coincides with a major milestone: the 60th anniversary of the Canada Pension Plan in 2026, while the Old Age Security program heads toward its 75th anniversary in 2027.
What National Seniors Day 2026 marked
The Honourable Stephanie McLean, Secretary of State (Seniors), issued a statement on October 1, 2026, recognizing the contributions of older Canadians to the country through volunteerism, caregiving, and community involvement. National Seniors Day has been observed annually as a day to show gratitude to the family members, colleagues, neighbours, and friends who form an important part of Canada’s social fabric.
CPP at 60: six decades of the Canada Pension Plan
The Canada Pension Plan launched in 1966, which makes 2026 its 60th anniversary year. Over six decades, the CPP has grown from a basic retirement pension into a program that also pays disability, children’s, and survivor benefits. In recent years the CPP enhancement added a second tier of contributions (CPP2), increasing the income replacement the plan provides to working Canadians.
The CPP retirement pension is indexed to inflation once a year: it rose 2.0% in January 2026. For 2026, the Year’s Maximum Pensionable Earnings (YMPE) is $74,600 and the Year’s Additional Maximum Pensionable Earnings (YAMPE, the CPP2 ceiling) is $85,000.
OAS turns 75 in 2027
The Old Age Security program dates back to 1952, and 2027 will mark its 75th anniversary. OAS includes the OAS pension, the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), the Allowance, and the Allowance for the Survivor. Unlike CPP, OAS is reviewed every quarter: it rose 1.4% for the October-to-December 2026 quarter, the largest quarterly increase of 2026, for a 3.0% increase over the previous 12 months.
What the government announced for seniors
In the National Seniors Day statement, the government pointed to the New Horizons for Seniors Program, which supports community projects that help seniors live secure and dignified retirements. It also noted ongoing work with provinces and territories through the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers Responsible for Seniors Forum on issues including innovative housing models, assistive technologies, and financial mistreatment of older Canadians.
Key CPP and OAS payment dates for the rest of 2026
CPP and OAS are paid on the same dates. The remaining 2026 payment dates are:
| Month | Payment date |
|---|---|
| October 2026 | October 28, 2026 |
| November 2026 | November 26, 2026 |
| December 2026 | December 22, 2026 (issued early for the holidays) |
See our CPP payment dates 2026 guide for the full schedule.
Source: Secretary of State McLean marks National Seniors Day – Canada.ca and Benefits payment dates – Canada.ca | Last verified: October 4, 2026
Frequently asked questions
When is National Seniors Day?
National Seniors Day is observed every year on October 1. The 2026 observance was the 15th annual National Seniors Day.
When did the Canada Pension Plan start?
The CPP launched in 1966. The year 2026 marks the 60th anniversary of the plan.
When did Old Age Security start?
The Old Age Security program dates back to 1952, and 2027 will mark its 75th anniversary.
What is the New Horizons for Seniors Program?
It is a federal program that funds community-based projects supporting the well-being of seniors, referenced in the government’s 2026 National Seniors Day statement as part of its commitment to secure and dignified retirements.
When is the next CPP and OAS payment?
The next CPP and OAS payment date is October 28, 2026, followed by November 26 and December 22, 2026.
