Estimate spousal support using the Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines (SSAG) — without-children and with-children formulas, duration ranges, and net income analysis.
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C$
C$
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$60,000 income difference ÷ 12
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SSAG range chart (low/mid/high), with and without children formula comparison, and duration range visualisation.
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Financial Details
C$
C$
years
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$75,000/yr
SSAG (Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines, 2008/2021): These are non-binding guidelines used as a strong starting point by courts. They provide low, mid, and high ranges based on the without-child or with-child support formula. Courts have discretion to award outside the range.
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Full SSAG analysis with all income sources, restructuring (front-loading/extending), compensatory vs non-compensatory rationale, and Boston formula for long marriages.
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Payor — All Income Sources
C$
C$
C$
C$
Payee Income & Capacity
C$
C$
C$
years
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.
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.