The standard retirement age in Canada is the same for both men and women — 65 years. Given that this country has an average life expectancy of 84 years for women and 80 for men, Canadians enjoy an average retirement life of 15–19 years, which has plenty to offer.
Anyone who has lived and worked in Canada for more than 10 years and made contributions to pension funds can expect a decent retirement income. For instance, a person who has earned C$65,000 a year may receive in retirement about C$50,000 in the form of an Old-Age Security (OAS) pension, Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP), and an employer-sponsored pension.
Since most Canadian retirees have a lot of free time and enough money for living, the main question for them is how to spend time. This is not a problem though: there are many opportunities for retirement activities in this country.
Retirement Parties
In Canada, life in retirement starts with a retirement party. As a rule, these parties are organized for a fresh retiree by his colleagues at home or in the workplace.
Sometimes retirement parties are celebrated on a large scale. For instance, a 67-year-old Ontario resident invited some colleagues and closest friends to his party in 2015. But as the news of the party spread on Facebook, no less than 200 people came to his house. The party was so noisy that the police were called. But they managed to shut it down not before the retirees caused almost $20,000 in damage.
Seniors’ Clubs and Centres
In Canada, life does not end with retirement as this country has a well-developed infrastructure for seniors. All major cities have non-profit cultural and entertainment centres, which offer social, cultural, educational and entertainment programs for older people. There you can get help filling out documents, learn how to use a computer, play sports, dance, and acquire new acquaintances and friends. You can find such organizations on provincial websites:
Outdoors Events
In many Canadian provinces, local authorities arrange free outdoor activities for retirees. For example, public parks provide outdoor activities and sports equipment for the elderly in British Columbia. Parks are available in several locations in the province, including Abbotsford, Vancouver, Kelowna, Nanaimo, Richmond, and several others.
British Columbia communities also host 55+ BC Games for people over 55. This multi-sport event is held annually for five days.
Canadian retirees are also actively engaged in hunting and fishing. People over 65 years old can buy a fishing licence at a great discount. For instance, in British Columbia, this permit usually costs C$36 per year, and seniors pay for it only C$5 per year. Retirees can also rent a camping site at a reduced price. For example, if a place usually costs C$30, an older person will pay only C$15.
Cultural Institutions
Canadian retirees actively visit museums, galleries, and exhibitions. Many places offer discounts for people over 65:
- Canadian Canoe Museum in Ontario
- Canada Museum of History in Quebec
- Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa
- Canadian War Museum in Ottawa
- Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto
- Ontario Science Centre
- Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto
- Science North in Ontario
- Theatre Calgary
- Toronto Zoo
- Vancouver Art Gallery
To use a discount, it is enough to provide an ID.
Volunteering
Volunteering is also popular in Canada. By participating in volunteer organizations, retirees continue to lead an active lifestyle, communicate, make new friends, and benefit society. For instance, such organizations in Ontario include the Alzheimer Society of Ontario, Elder Abuse Ontario, National Association of Federal Retirees, Ontario Retirement Communities Association, Retired Teachers of Ontario.
You can find volunteer organizations in various Canadian cities using the following resources:
Educational Programs
It is never too late to learn, and in Canada, you can get an education at any age. Some of the post-secondary institutions even offer free educational programs to retirees.
For example, York University in Ontario offers free academic programs for people over 60 who have already graduated. Similarly, the University of British Columbia allows permanent residents aged 65 or older not to pay tuition fees for some of the masters and doctoral programs. And the University of Calgary offers the same for undergraduate programs.
Travel
It is convenient for retirees to travel around Canada, as many transport companies offer discounts for older people. Here are a few examples:
- Hertz offers people over 50 years a 20% discount on car rentals.
- Amtrak and Via Rail passengers 60 years of age or older can get a 10% discount.
- The Greyhound bus company offers a 20% discount on fares for passengers aged 62 years and older with a valid ID.
- In Ontario, rates are two times cheaper for retirees.
In addition, 10–15% discounts for older people are offered by many hotels: Best Western, Fairmont Hotels and Sandman Hotel Group (for people over 55), Choice Hotels and Wyndham Hotels (for people over 60), InterContinental Hotel Group and Marriott (for people over 62), and Radisson (for those older than 65 years of age).
Retirement Homes
Retirees and people over 55 who have health issues and who require special care can be accommodated in a nursing home. But even there they won’t be bored.
Canadian retirement homes may include a fitness centre, spa, and entertainment facilities, offer exercise programs, arrange entertainment and transportation to meetings and events.
The cost of living in retirement homes depends on the services. The average price for a room in a nursing home with care and meals is C$2,210 per month. The amount varies from approximately C$1,500 to C$8,000 per month depending on the location and size of the accommodation, as well as whether there is medical staff in place, whether personal health services are provided for wheelchair persons, diabetic patients, and people with Alzheimer’s disease.
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Canada creates all conditions for retirees to live comfortably and lead an active and interesting life. Seniors attend events, participate in sports competitions, visit museums and concerts. Much is being done at the expense of provincial or municipal authorities. And people here benefit from the state services until the end of their lives.