Old Age Allowance 2026: amount, eligibility and how to apply

How much is it per month in 2026?

In 2026 the Old Age Allowance is HK$1,675 per month, effective 1 February (up from HK$1,640). It has no asset or income test — you qualify by being 70+ and meeting the residence rules, so it is paid regardless of wealth. Because the amount is fixed rather than needs-based, treat the Old Age Allowance as a basic supplement rather than a main source of retirement income; day-to-day expenses usually still rely on other pillars such as MPF, savings and family support. For a fuller picture of the government's various elderly cash supports, see government retirement income.

The amount is reviewed yearly and is subject to the Social Welfare Department (2026); this article is for education only, not personalised advice.

Eligibility

Eligibility centres on two requirements — age and residence — with no reference to assets or income. The main conditions are:

• Aged 70 or above.
• A Hong Kong resident for at least 7 years.
• Continuous residence before applying (absences within a year not exceeding the set limit).
• No asset or income test.
• Not concurrently receiving the OALA, Disability Allowance or CSSA.

The above is a general summary; details such as permitted days of absence follow the Social Welfare Department (2026). If the elderly person's situation involves CSSA, review CSSA for the elderly before deciding.

How do you apply?

Applying for the Old Age Allowance is relatively simple because no proof of assets is required. In general you can follow these steps:

1. Confirm age and years of residenceCheck that the person is aged 70 or above, has been a Hong Kong resident for 7 years, and meets the continuous-residence requirement before applying.
2. Prepare identity and residence proofHave the Hong Kong ID card and proof of address ready; because there is no means test, bank balances or property details are generally not required.
3. Submit the application and await approvalLodge the form through the Social Welfare Department's community services for the elderly or a designated channel; once age and residence are verified, payment can be arranged.
4. Review how it interacts with other allowancesSince the Old Age Allowance cannot be received together with the OALA, Disability Allowance or CSSA, compare which is more favourable first; when arranging for elders, see planning for parents' retirement.

Actual application channels, required documents and processing times follow the Social Welfare Department (2026).

Old Age Allowance vs OALA

Both are government elderly allowances, but they differ and cannot be received together. The Old Age Allowance wins on simplicity — no means test — while the OALA pays more but requires passing an asset and income test. Compare them on age, asset level and amount:

Amounts and rules follow the Social Welfare Department (2026); you may claim only one of the two. For how the OALA counts assets and what is exempt, read on in the Old Age Living Allowance and asset-test exemptions.

What if the elderly person has more assets?

Because the Old Age Allowance has no asset test, elderly people whose assets exceed the OALA limit can still claim it once aged 70 — making it the only government cash allowance available to them. For these families the amount is modest, but its value lies in being unaffected by assets, so it can serve as a steady supplement to retirement cash flow while the rest is planned through savings, annuities or other arrangements. If you are also arranging succession for elders, consider legacy and succession planning alongside it. To help clarify the family's overall arrangements, see how we help.

General education only, not personalised advice; eligibility and calculations are per the Social Welfare Department (2026).