Are the SSAG mandatory in Canada?

No. The Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines are advisory, not mandatory. However, courts across Canada use the SSAG ranges as a starting point, and parties who deviate significantly must explain why.

What is the difference between the without-children and with-children formulas?

The without-children formula uses gross income difference × 1.5–2.0% × years. The with-children formula targets the recipient receiving 40–46% of combined net income after child support is deducted from the payor's income.

Can spousal support be changed after it is ordered?

Yes. Either party can apply to vary a spousal support order on a material change in circumstances, such as significant income changes, remarriage, completing retraining, or retirement.

Does spousal support end at a specific date?

It depends on the order. Time-limited orders end on a set date. Indefinite orders continue until a triggering event or variation application. Marriages of 20+ years often receive indefinite support under the SSAG.

Canada Spousal Support Calculator 2026

Estimate spousal support using the Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines (SSAG) — without-children and with-children formulas, duration ranges, and net income analysis.

Updated April 2026 SSAG · Divorce Act §15.2 Private — runs in your browser

Payor Gross Income(annual)

Recipient Gross Income(annual)

Years of Cohabitation

years

SSAG Without-Children Formula

C$900–C$1,200/mo

Midpoint MonthlyC$1,050/mo

Annual (midpoint)C$12,600/yr

Income DifferenceC$60,000/yr

Duration Range6.0–12.0 yrs

Formula: 1.5–2.0% × 12 years × C$60,000 income difference ÷ 12

Advanced Calculator

SSAG range chart (low/mid/high), with and without children formula comparison, and duration range visualisation.

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Financial Details

Payor Gross Income

Payee Gross Income

Length of Relationship

years

Child Support Situation

SSAG Spousal Support Range

LowMidHigh

LowC$94/mo

MidC$125/mo

HighC$156/mo

SSAG Range (Without Children Formula)

C$125/month (mid-range)

LowC$94/mo

MidC$125/mo

HighC$156/mo

Duration Range6.0–12.0 years

Income GapC$75,000/yr

SSAG (Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines, 2008/2021): These are non-binding guidelines used as a strong starting point by courts. They provide low, mid, and high ranges based on the without-child or with-child support formula. Courts have discretion to award outside the range.

Professional Simulator

Full SSAG analysis with all income sources, restructuring (front-loading/extending), compensatory vs non-compensatory rationale, and Boston formula for long marriages.

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Payor — All Income Sources

Employment Income

Self-Employment Income

Investment Income

Rental Income

Payee Income & Capacity

Payee Actual Income

Payee Earning Capacity

Monthly Child Support Paid

Length of Cohabitation

years

Compensatory Support Basis

Full SSAG Professional Analysis

C$124/month (mid-range)

Total Payor IncomeC$119,000/yr

Payee Actual IncomeC$28,000/yr

SSAG LowC$93/mo

SSAG MidC$124/mo

SSAG HighC$155/mo

Duration Range7–21 yrs

Earning capacity adjustment: If court applies capacity (C$42,000/yr), SSAG mid reduces to C$121/mo. Courts often phase capacity in over 2–3 years rather than applying it immediately.

Compensatory support basis: Compensatory support addresses economic disadvantage from the relationship. It is generally harder to justify ending if the disadvantage persists.

Canada's Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines

The Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines (SSAG), published by the Department of Justice, provide a framework for determining spousal support amounts and duration under the Divorce Act. Unlike the Child Support Guidelines, the SSAG are advisory — not mandatory — but courts and lawyers across Canada rely on them heavily as a starting point for negotiations and litigation.

The SSAG have two main formulas: the without-children formula and the with-children formula. The choice depends on whether the couple has children for whom child support is being paid.

SSAG Formulas

Without Children Formula: Low: 1.5% × years × (payor income − recipient income) ÷ 12 High: 2.0% × years × (payor income − recipient income) ÷ 12 Duration: 0.5–1.0 × years of cohabitation With Children Formula: Target: 40–46% of combined net income for recipient Low: (combined net × 40% − recipient net) ÷ 12 High: (combined net × 46% − recipient net) ÷ 12 (Payor net income is calculated after deducting child support paid)

Example Calculation

Example: 12-year marriage, no children

Payor gross incomeC$95,000

Recipient gross incomeC$35,000

Income differenceC$60,000

Years cohabitation12 years

SSAG low (1.5% × 12 × C$60k ÷ 12)C$900/mo

SSAG high (2.0% × 12 × C$60k ÷ 12)C$1,200/mo

Duration range6–12 years

Total rangeC$64,800–C$172,800

The midpoint of C$1,050/month over 9 years would total approximately C$113,400. Courts will also consider actual needs, ability to pay, and roles during the marriage.

Official Sources & Legal References

Frequently Asked Questions

No. The Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines are advisory, not mandatory. Unlike the Child Support Guidelines, there is no statute requiring courts to apply them. However, the Supreme Court of Canada has repeatedly affirmed their utility, and most family law courts across Canada use the SSAG ranges as a starting point for setting support amounts. Parties who deviate significantly from the SSAG must explain why.

Yes. Under the Income Tax Act, spousal support paid pursuant to a written separation agreement or court order is tax-deductible for the payor and taxable income for the recipient. This is different from child support (not taxable). The tax treatment significantly affects negotiations — the payor benefits from a tax deduction, and the SSAG figures are calculated on a gross (pre-tax) basis. Ensure both parties account for the tax effect when evaluating settlement offers.

The without-children formula uses gross income difference × 1.5–2.0% × years. The with-children formula looks at net (after-tax) income after child support has been deducted from the payor's income, then targets the recipient receiving 40–46% of the combined net income. The with-children formula is generally used when the payor is also paying child support under the Federal Child Support Guidelines, as the child support obligation affects affordability.

Yes. Under the Divorce Act, either party can apply to vary a spousal support order on a material change in circumstances. Common triggering events include: significant change in either party's income, the recipient remarrying or entering a new common-law relationship, the recipient completing retraining, retirement, or health changes. The variation can increase, decrease or terminate support. Some agreements include automatic review clauses tied to specific milestones.

It depends on the order or agreement. Time-limited orders (term support) end on a specific date. Indefinite orders continue until a triggering event (remarriage, death) or a variation application. The SSAG duration range of 0.5–1.0 times the length of the relationship gives a framework, but for marriages of 20+ years, the SSAG often calls for indefinite support. "Indefinite" does not mean permanent — it means the end date is not fixed and must be varied by agreement or court order.

When to Consult a Canadian Family Lawyer

Consult a licensed Canadian family lawyer if your case involves: a marriage of 20 or more years where indefinite support may be appropriate; compensatory support claims for significant career sacrifice; restructuring (front-loading or extending) the SSAG range; self-employment or business income requiring careful income determination; tax planning around the deductibility of spousal support payments; or enforcement or variation of an existing spousal support order.

Canada Spousal Support Calculator 2026

Canada's Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines

SSAG Formulas

Example Calculation

Example: 12-year marriage, no children

Frequently Asked Questions

When to Consult a Canadian Family Lawyer

Related Calculators