Ontario Spousal Support: SSAG, Moge, Quantum and Duration (2026 Guide)

Compensatory Model (Moge)

The receiving spouse gave up career advancement, education, or earning capacity to support the other spouse's career or to raise children. The support compensates for economic disadvantage caused by the relationship.

Indicators: One spouse left work or reduced hours for children; one spouse relocated for other spouse's career; one spouse funded the other's education or professional development

Non-Compensatory (Needs-Based)

The receiving spouse has genuine financial need arising from the breakdown of the relationship, even if the need is not caused by a compensable sacrifice. Particularly relevant for long marriages where one spouse became economically dependent.

Indicators: Long traditional marriages; significant lifestyle disparities between spouses; older recipient with limited ability to re-enter workforce; health limitations

Contractual

A marriage contract, cohabitation agreement, or separation agreement provides for spousal support. Courts generally enforce contractual terms if the agreement was freely negotiated with independent legal advice.

Indicators: Marriage contract with spousal support provisions; separation agreement with time-limited or unlimited support

Without Child Support Formula

Applies when

After child support ends (or where no children)

Quantum formula

1.5% to 2.0% of the difference in the spouses' gross incomes per year of marriage

Example / range

Example: $50,000 income difference, 10-year marriage = $7,500 to $10,000/year ($625 to $833/month)

Duration

0.5 to 1 year of support per year of marriage; indefinite if 20+ years or rule of 65

With Child Support Formula (Merged Formula)

Applies when

While child support is being paid (recipient is the custodial parent)

Quantum formula

Based on net disposable income shares — complex calculation using both spouses' incomes after child support, taxes, and government benefits

Example / range

Ranges from 40-46% of combined net disposable income to the support recipient (where recipient has primary residence)

Duration

Indefinite or duration linked to child support — continues until youngest child is in full-time school, then re-evaluated

Significant income decrease (payor)

Job loss, disability, forced retirement, business failure — must be significant and not self-induced

Significant income increase (payor)

Promotion, new business success — recipient can apply to vary upward

Recipient's increased income

If recipient achieves economic self-sufficiency or income significantly increases

Recipient's new cohabiting relationship

New relationship may affect need, particularly if living with a higher-income partner

Remarriage of recipient

May terminate support depending on the original order's terms; not automatic termination

Payor's retirement

Bona fide retirement reducing income is a material change — but courts look at whether retirement was reasonable

Health change

Serious health deterioration affecting income or need

Child support ending

When youngest child leaves full-time education — triggers re-assessment under SSAG

How is spousal support calculated in Ontario?

Ontario courts use the Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines (SSAG) to calculate quantum and duration. The SSAG without child support formula uses the spouses' incomes to generate a range: typically 1.5-2% of the difference in net disposable incomes per year of marriage. The with child support formula works differently, using the 'Merged Formula' that accounts for child support obligations. Courts are not required to follow the SSAG but use them as a starting point — departures require justification.

Is there a right to spousal support in Ontario?

There is no automatic right to spousal support in Ontario. A spouse must establish entitlement based on one of three grounds recognized in Moge v Moge (SCC 1992): (1) Compensatory — a spouse gave up career opportunities or economic advantages during the relationship; (2) Non-compensatory — a spouse has genuine need arising from the relationship; (3) Contractual — a marriage contract or separation agreement provides for support. Courts consider economic disadvantage arising from the relationship, the economic hardship of the breakdown, and the goal of economic self-sufficiency.

How long does spousal support last in Ontario?

Duration under the SSAG without child support formula is generally 0.5 to 1 year of support per year of marriage, with a minimum of 6 months. For long marriages (20+ years, or age + years of marriage exceeds 65), the SSAG allows for indefinite support (duration not specified). With child support formula can result in indefinite support during the child rearing years. Duration ranges are as important as quantum ranges — always present both.

Can spousal support be varied in Ontario?

Yes. Under s. 17 of the Divorce Act, either spouse can apply to vary a spousal support order on the basis of a material change in circumstances since the original order. A material change must be significant and long-lasting — not a temporary fluctuation. Grounds include: major income change for either party, remarriage or new cohabiting relationship, retirement, changed health circumstances, or the recipient achieving economic self-sufficiency. A separation agreement with support provisions may also be varied if there is material change, but courts approach this more cautiously.