When thinking about survivor benefits for your loved ones, it is important to know who is eligible and what options are available. This section explains who receives survivor benefits in the event of your death.
Your surviving spouse, eligible children* (subject to age restrictions) or dependants ** (as defined in the Plan) may be automatically entitled to receive a survivor pension. You do not have to designate them as your beneficiary(ies).
*An eligible child is a child of a Plan member who is under the age of 18 (or 25 if in continuous full-time attendance at a post-secondary institution).
** A dependant must be a relative who is dependent on the Plan member by reason of mental or physical infirmity.
Death after retirement
The following explains the order of who receives your survivor pension benefit and the percentage paid in the event of your death:
If you have a surviving spouse and eligible children:
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Your surviving spouse would receive a lifetime pension equal to 60% of your accrued pension.
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Your surviving eligible children* would each receive 10% of your accrued pension. If there are more than 4 eligible children, 40% of your pension benefit is divided equally among them.
Note - If you were first elected prior to April 6, 2010:
Your surviving spouse would receive a lifetime pension equal to 66 2/3% of your accrued pension.
Your eligible children would each receive 10% of your accrued pension. If there are more than 3 eligible children, 33 1/3% of your pension benefit is divided equally among them.
If you do not have a surviving spouse but have eligible children:
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Your eligible children would receive a pension equal to 60% of your accrued pension for as long as they are eligible, divided equally among them (or split the pension that would have been paid to your spouse). This would replace their benefit of 10% each.
Note - If you were first elected prior to April 6, 2010:
Your eligible children would receive a pension equal to 66 2/3% of your accrued pension for as long as they qualify, divided equally among them (or split the pension that would have been paid to your spouse). This would replace their benefit of 10% each.
If you do not have a surviving spouse or eligible children:
Your dependant is entitled to a 50% survivor’s benefit (divided equally if there is more than one dependant). In order for your dependant to qualify for a pension, they would need to be claimed as a dependant for tax purposes. You may forward us a copy of the confirmation from CRA.
We recommend that you contact our office to inform us of your dependants.
Death of a deferred member
If you die before commencing your pension, the following will occur:
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Your surviving spouse is entitled to receive a refund of your contributions plus interest.
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If there is no surviving spouse, the refund is paid to the member’s personal representative.
If you die in service before accruing two years of service, your spouse, children or dependants would be entitled to receive a survivor’s benefit calculated as if you had accrued two years of service, provided that pension contributions for the remainder of the period up to two years would be deducted from the survivor allowance(s).