Let Poor Older Adults Work: Policy Recommendations for an Improved GIS
The earnings exemption for the Guaranteed Income Supplement should be raised to $10,000, doubling it from its current level of $5,000 and indexing it to inflation, to reflect the economic and social realities of older adults in Canada today.
An earnings exemption, sometimes described as a “turning point,” refers to the portion of employment or self-employment income that GIS recipients can earn without reducing their benefits. This ensures that work remains a viable option for low-income older adults.
This change would help reduce poverty among working Canadians 65 and older, contribute to the fight against ageism and could also reduce social isolation. By allowing low-income older adults to work without undue financial penalties, Canada can foster a more inclusive and equitable ageing workforce while aligning the GIS with the contemporary public policy landscape.
