Why is Service Canada so slow?

My seven-month journey to stop OAS payments—and what every future OAS recipient should know.

I had read several stories about how slow and complicated the OAS (Old Age Security) process can be. A little after I turned 64, I received an OAS application package in the mail. I applied through My Service Canada Account (MSCA) in November 2024, and to my surprise, my application was approved in just three months.

My first OAS payment was scheduled for the end of November 2025. In early October 2025, after my financial situation changed, I decided to delay my OAS. (Every month you delay OAS increases your payment by 0.6%, or 7.2% a year, up to 36% after five years.)

Since I couldn’t stop my OAS payments through MSCA, I called Service Canada. The first agent couldn’t explain how to stop the payments. I called the next day again, and the second agent told me I had to submit a written request by mail or in person at a Service Canada office.

To avoid mailing delays, I delivered my request in person during the second week of November 2025. The agent told me it could take 3 to 6 months to process my request. Until then, I would keep receiving OAS payments, which I would later have to repay.

After four months, in mid-March 2026, I called Service Canada. The agent said I would receive a letter within a week.

Nothing arrived.

I called again in the last week of March. This agent said he would “expedite” my case and told me to call back after May 11 if I still hadn’t heard anything.

By May 13, there was still no update in my MSCA account, so I called again. Once again, I was told my case would be expedited and to call back after May 26 if I still hadn’t received anything.

Still nothing.

On June 12, I called again. The agent confirmed that no decision had been made and again said he would expedite my case. He asked me to check back on June 18.

By then, I was tired of calling, waiting 20 to 40 minutes to reach an agent, being put on hold, and then being told to call back again a week later. I decided to stop calling.

Finally, in the fourth week of June 2026, I received a letter stating that my request had been approved and that my OAS payments had been stopped, effective June 2026.

Now I have to repay the seven OAS payments I received before then. I’ll also have to deal with the income tax I paid on my 2025 OAS payments.

I am not sure why this process takes so long. In my case, I was asking them to stop my payments. Imagine someone who really depends on OAS and has to wait months before receiving it.

My takeaway: if you want to delay your OAS after you’ve applied or been auto-enrolled, don’t wait. Submit your request as early as possible and be prepared for it to take six months — or even longer.

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and is not financial advice. Please consult a qualified tax or financial professional before making any decisions.