Parents and Grandparents had a relatively low incidence of employment earnings and of
investment income and high incidence of provincial supplements, especially following the 10-
year mark. Elderly immigrants in this category also reported the second lowest annual income
of all categories prior to the 10-year mark and the lowest annual income following the 10-year
mark. Parents and Grandparents also had the highest incidence of OAS and GIS/Allowance
following the 10-year mark.
Other Family immigrants had a slightly higher incidence of employment earnings and of
investment income than was seen for all elderly. They also had a below average incidence of
provincial supplements. The employment earnings reported by the elderly in this category
were comparable to that of Other Economic Immigrants; however, the annual income reported
was higher. In fact, the annual income reported by elders in this category was the third highest
of all categories. Other Family immigrants appeared to draw additional income from private
pensions. They had the second highest incidence of income from this source. With respect to
non-contributory retirement income, Other Family immigrants had below average incidence
of OAS and GIS/Allowance.
Refugees had on average a very low incidence of employment earnings and the lowest
incidence of investment income. They also had the highest incidence of provincial
supplements. Elderly refugees had the lowest incidence of private pension income and
reported the second lowest annual income. Although the incidence of OAS was slightly below
average for elderly Refugees, the incidence of GIS/Allowance was the second highest of all
categories.
Retired immigrants, not surprisingly, had the lowest incidence of employment earnings and
the highest incidence of investment income. These immigrants had the highest incidence of
income from private pensions as well and the lowest incidence of provincial supplements. The
annual income reported by Retired immigrants was second only to Skilled Principal
Applicants. Even with a relatively high annual income, Retired immigrants had the second
highest incidence of OAS. However, the incidence of GIS/Allowance for these immigrants
was well below average.
• Working beyond age 60 leads to higher annual incomes and less social transfers in later
years.
Skilled Principal Applicants, for example, had the highest incidence of employment earnings
and reported the highest average employment earnings of all immigrant categories. Nearly
half of all Skilled Principal Applicants over the age of 60 continued to report employment
earnings 20 years after landing and this share was even higher for long-term elders in this
category.
The strong labour market activity seen for Skilled Principal Applicants after reaching 60 years
of age had obvious impacts on annual income and on the incidence of non-contributory
retirement income for elders in this category. Elderly immigrants in this category had the
highest annual income of all immigrant categories, reporting annual incomes well above the
average throughout the entire period.