Knowing the maximum Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) is not enough to tell you what you might receive. GIS is income-tested, and the calculation changes depending on whether you are single or have a spouse or common-law partner. Our GIS calculator is designed to turn those rules into a useful estimate. Enter your marital situation and the income used for GIS purposes to estimate your monthly supplement. The calculation uses the applicable 2026 GIS payment table rather than simply comparing your income with the maximum eligibility threshold.
GIS Calculator
Enter:
- Your marital status
- Your annual income used for GIS purposes
- Your spouse or common-law partner’s income, when applicable
- Whether your spouse or partner receives OAS, the Allowance, or neither
Calculator result:
Estimated monthly GIS: $0.00
Estimated annual GIS: $0.00
Maximum GIS for your situation: $0.00 per month
Income used in calculation: $0.00
The calculator should use the official GIS payment tables for July to September 2026, which provide payment amounts by marital status and income level. Those tables are more appropriate for an estimator than applying one simplified reduction formula to every household situation.
What the GIS Calculator Uses
Your marital status changes which GIS payment schedule applies. For July to September 2026, a single, divorced or widowed OAS recipient can receive up to $1,123.17 per month when income is low enough. Someone whose spouse or common-law partner receives the full OAS pension can receive up to $676.09 per month. The same $676.09 maximum applies when the partner receives the Allowance, while a person whose partner receives neither OAS nor the Allowance can receive up to $1,123.17. These 2026 GIS maximums and income thresholds are reviewed quarterly.
That household information is essential. A calculator that asks only for your age and income can produce the wrong estimate because couples generally have their GIS assessed using combined income. You can see the household categories side by side in how much GIS you can receive.
Enter the Right Income in the Calculator
GIS generally uses income from the previous calendar year. For a couple, the calculation generally considers the couple’s combined income. However, you should not simply enter every dollar that reaches your bank account.
The published 2026 GIS income cut-offs exclude the OAS pension. They also exclude the first $5,000 of employment or self-employment income and 50% of employment or self-employment income between $5,000 and $15,000. Those exclusions can make a meaningful difference for a senior who continues working.
Because the income rules are more involved than a basic gross-income calculation, check how GIS is calculated before entering an adjusted income figure yourself. The federal Old Age Security Benefits Estimator can also estimate OAS-program benefits using information about your age, income, residence history, marital status and partner.
Your 2026 GIS Maximum Depends on Your Household
For July to September 2026, the applicable maximums and income cut-offs are:
| Your situation | Maximum monthly GIS | 2026 annual income cut-off |
|---|---|---|
| Single, divorced or widowed | $1,123.17 | Less than $22,800 |
| Partner receives full OAS | $676.09 | Less than $30,096 combined |
| Partner receives the Allowance | $676.09 | Less than $42,144 combined |
| Partner receives neither OAS nor Allowance | $1,123.17 | Less than $54,624 combined |
These figures are ceilings rather than guaranteed payments. Your actual GIS can be lower even when your income remains below the relevant cut-off. Eligibility also requires more than passing an income test, so check who is eligible for GIS separately if you are unsure whether you qualify.
Why Your Actual GIS May Differ From the Calculator
Treat the result as an estimate rather than the amount you will necessarily receive. The federal benefits estimator itself makes the same limitation clear because final eligibility and payments depend on the information used to administer your OAS benefits.
A recent change in income can also make an estimate based solely on last year’s income misleading. When income drops because you or your spouse retires, or another pension is reduced or stops, your GIS may sometimes be calculated using an estimate of current-year income instead. In that situation, relying on the previous year’s figure can understate the benefit you may qualify for.
GIS rates can also change during the year. OAS-program benefits are reviewed every January, April, July and October to reflect increases in the cost of living. The figures in this calculator therefore need to be updated whenever a new quarterly payment table takes effect.
What to Do After Estimating Your GIS
A calculator result does not apply for the benefit. Some people are automatically enrolled, while others need to submit an application. If you appear eligible but are not receiving GIS, check how to apply for GIS rather than assuming a calculated amount will begin automatically.
Once payments start, GIS is not taxable income. That makes the estimated annual figure useful for budgeting, but it should remain separate from taxable retirement income when you are estimating income tax.
Questions About the GIS Calculator
Can I use the calculator if my spouse does not receive OAS?
Yes. Select the household category showing that your spouse or common-law partner receives neither OAS nor the Allowance. The applicable 2026 income threshold and payment schedule differ from those used when both partners receive OAS.
Can I use gross employment income?
Employment and self-employment earnings receive specific exemptions when GIS income is determined, so entering gross earnings without accounting for those rules can distort the result. Use the income figure required by the calculator rather than assuming gross earnings and GIS income are identical.
Does the calculator include OAS in my income?
No. OAS pension payments are excluded from the income cut-offs used for GIS. If you want to estimate the two benefits together, use the OAS and GIS calculator.
Can the calculator confirm that I qualify for GIS?
No. It estimates a payment from the information entered. The actual benefit depends on meeting the GIS eligibility requirements and the income information used to assess your entitlement.
