Increase the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) for single low-income seniors by 10%.

Canada’s most vulnerable single seniors will see an increase of up to $947 annually to the Guaranteed Income Supplement

Government News Release June 30, 2016

Speaking to seniors at the Manoir Sully (Résidences des Bâtisseurs) in Quebec today, the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, reaffirmed the Government of Canada’s commitment to strengthen income security for lower-income seniors by announcing that starting in July, Canada’s most vulnerable single seniors will receive an increase to their Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) top-up.

Public pensions are an important part of the retirement income of Canadians, particularly for lower-income single seniors who face a high risk of living in poverty. In Canada, the vast majority of low-income seniors are single and live alone; a significant portion of this group are also women. By increasing the GIS top-up by up to $947 annually, the Government of Canada will improve the financial security of about 900,000 vulnerable seniors.

That updated top-up amount of $947 corresponds to the promised 10% increase.

Increasing the Guaranteed Income Supplement for Single Seniors

2016 Federal Budget March 22, 2016

Budget 2016 proposes to increase the Guaranteed Income Supplement top-up benefit by up to $947 annually for the most vulnerable single seniors starting in July 2016, which will support those seniors who rely almost exclusively on Old Age Security and Guaranteed Income Supplement benefits and may therefore be at risk of experiencing financial difficulties.

This enhancement more than doubles the current maximum Guaranteed Income Supplement top-up benefit and represents a 10% increase in the total maximum Guaranteed Income Supplement benefits available to the lowest-income single seniors. This measure represents an investment of over $670 million per year and will improve the financial security of about 900,000 single seniors across Canada.