December 2025 CPP/OAS Boost – What the $2,200 Pension Increase Really Means

A lot of buzz is circulating about a $2,200 CPP/OAS pension boost coming this December 2025—but let’s clear up the confusion. While there is a confirmed increase to benefits under the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), the $2,200 figure isn’t an exact number guaranteed for every retiree. Instead, the CRA is adjusting payments based on the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), which helps pensions keep up with inflation.

If you’re receiving Canada Pension Plan (CPP) or Old Age Security (OAS) benefits, here’s what you need to know about this upcoming increase and how it might impact your monthly payment.

Boost

The idea behind the December 2025 increase is to maintain the value of social security benefits amid rising costs in Canada. This is done through the Consumer Price Index (CPI)—the standard tool used to track inflation. Every four months, the CRA reviews the CPI and adjusts benefits accordingly.

For December 2025, the CPP and OAS payments will go up by 1.0%, following the last COLA increase in April 2025. While the exact dollar amount of the increase hasn’t been confirmed yet, it will be updated on the CRA’s official website in early December.

Here’s a snapshot of what we know so far:

Pension Type	COLA Increase	Effective Date	Frequency
CPP & OAS	1.0%	December 29, 2025	Monthly

So, while some might receive up to $2,200 as an adjusted total monthly benefit due to accumulated contributions, this is not a flat-rate boost for everyone.

Details

Here’s a quick overview of the pension adjustment program:

About the Boost	Details
Authority	Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
Program Names	CPP & OAS
Year	2025
Target Group	Seniors, retired, low-income
Eligibility Age	CPP: 62+ / OAS: 65+
Estimated Increase	1.0% COLA
Payment Date	December 29, 2025
Application Needed?	No, automatic for current users
Official Updates Source	CRA official website

Eligibility

You don’t need to do anything if you’re already receiving CPP or OAS. The boost will be applied automatically to your regular monthly payment. But if you’re new to the system, you’ll need to meet specific criteria:

CPP Eligibility:

• Must be 62 years or older
• Must have contributed to CPP during your working years
• Must be a permanent Canadian resident for at least 10 years
• Must be of low income or retired

OAS Eligibility:

• Must be 65 years or older
• Must be a Canadian citizen or legal resident
• Must have lived in Canada for 10+ years after age 18
• Typically aimed at low-income retirees

Anyone applying for the first time can use the CRA online portal to fill out the application and submit the required documents. If you’re already receiving payments, no new application is needed.

Payments

Here’s what you need to know about receiving the upcoming boost:

• The next payment date is December 29, 2025
• You’ll receive the adjusted amount automatically
• No additional paperwork is required if you’re already a beneficiary
• Keep your banking and personal information up to date through your CRA account

If you’re unsure how much you’ll get, you can use the CRA’s online pension calculator to estimate your updated benefit based on your contribution history and age.

Clarification

Let’s address the elephant in the room: Will you actually get $2,200 in one month?

The short answer is probably not, unless your standard CPP or OAS payment already totals around that amount due to your past contributions or you’re receiving combined benefits. The $2,200 figure seems to be a rough estimate or example for those with higher lifelong contributions or combined CPP + OAS payments with the new 1.0% adjustment.

What’s confirmed is the 1.0% COLA increase, which may only result in a modest increase for most recipients. Still, every dollar helps, especially for seniors facing higher prices for food, rent, and daily essentials.

FAQs