New online services launched to aid Canadians in retirement planning
Tashi Farmilo
Service Canada unveiled the Retirement Hub, an innovative and user-friendly online tool designed to streamline the experience for Canadians navigating their retirement planning. This service will assist in planning, applying for, and receiving various retirement income benefits including the Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security, and the Guaranteed Income Supplement. One noteworthy feature of this online tool is the Retirement Ready Quiz, which, through a series of questions, provides users with a personalized checklist aiding them in their preparation for retirement.
Additionally, Canadians can now access an upgraded version of the Old Age Security Benefits Estimator on Canada.ca. This improved version introduces several new features, such as spousal estimates, partial Old Age Security pension, and an additional Guaranteed Income Supplement. Users can quickly determine their eligibility and get an estimate of their entitled benefits based on their personal circumstances. The estimator enhances user experience by offering automated estimates, eliminating the need for clients to manually navigate and interpret a series of OAS tables.
Minister of Citizens' Services, Terry Beech remarked, "Canadians seeking information on government services deserve a stress-free, uncomplicated experience. We are on a mission at Service Canada to enhance accessibility to government benefits and services." He emphasized that tools like the Retirement Hub and the OAS Estimator are vital in making access as convenient as possible for seniors and all Canadians nationwide.
Minister for Seniors, Seamus O'Regan Jr., commented, “Leveraging online platforms is a beneficial approach for seniors to gain insights into their entitled benefits and the procedures to access them. However, the presence of numerous barriers still makes the process overwhelming and at times, inscrutable for some. I’m gratified that we’ve heeded the concerns of seniors and have taken steps to ameliorate these issues.” He expressed contentment with the enhancements made, underlining the government’s unwavering commitment to addressing and resolving the unique needs and concerns of the senior population. For further details and to access these new features, visit: https://retraite-retirement.service.canada.ca/en/home.
Photo caption: The unveiling of the new and improved Retirement Hub and Old Age Security Benefits Estimator, innovative online tools designed to empower Canadians in planning a secure and dignified retirement.
Photo credit: Courtesy of the Government of Canada.
