The PSPP provides pension benefits to your eligible spouse and dependants at the time of your death. Understanding the eligibility rules may help with your financial planning.
Frequently asked questions:
Yes, if they satisfy one of the following criteria:
- legally married to you;
- living in a common-law partnership with you for at least three years, evidenced by tax returns;
- living in a common-law partnership with you and with a child of the relationship by birth or adoption, evidenced by a long-form birth certificate.
Furthermore, if you are retired, only the spouse you identified on your pension application is eligible for spousal benefits at the time of your passing, so long as you are still in a spousal relationship.
Your spouse will receive 60% of your monthly pension benefit amount for the remainder of their lifetime. Your spouse must submit the Spousal Application (PDF) and all supporting documents in order to begin receiving pension payments.
Yes, while the child(ren) satisfy one of the following criteria:
- under the age of 18;
- under the age of 25 and is enrolled full-time at an institution of post-secondary education;
- 18 or older who is dependent on the member for maintenance and support by reason of mental or physical disability.
A Dependant Application (PDF) must be submitted on behalf of your eligible child(ren) in the event of your passing.
As a PSPP member, you are guaranteed to receive a benefit worth no less than the value of 1.5 times your contributions plus interest as at date of retirement.
At the time of your death, we will automatically perform a calculation to ensure you received your minimum guarantee while collecting pension. If you have not, the residual amount will be paid to your estate.
Your personal representative should contact the Pensions and Benefits Office at the time of your passing.
In the event that you pass away while an active member of the Plan, your eligible spouse and/or dependants are entitled to receive pension benefits effective the day after your death.
Your spouse is eligible if they are:
- legally married to you;
- living in a common-law partnership with you for at least three years, evidenced by tax returns;
- living in a common-law partnership with you and with a child of the relationship by birth or adoption, evidenced by a long-form birth certificate.
You dependants are eligible if they are:
- under the age of 18;
- under the age of 25 and is enrolled full-time at an institution of post-secondary education;
- 18 or older who is dependent on the member for maintenance and support by reason of mental or physical disability.
The monthly pension benefit will be based on your average salary and years of eligible service and will be treated as an unreduced pension regardless of your age at the time of your death. Your spouse will receive 60% of what would have been your monthly pension benefit amount for the remainder of their lifetime. Your spouse must submit the Spousal Application (PDF) and all supporting documents in order to begin receiving pension payments.
A Dependant Application (PDF) must be submitted on behalf of your eligible child(ren) in the event of your passing.
If you do not have an eligible spouse or dependants, a lump sum payment of 1.5 times your contributions plus interest will be made to your estate. Your personal representative should contact the Pensions and Benefits Office.
The spouse named on your pension application will be entitled to 60% of your monthly pension amount for the remainder of their lifetime, so long as they are still your spouse at the time of your death. Your spouse is entitled to begin receiving pension benefits the month following your death as your pension will be deposited into your account as scheduled during the month of your passing.
Your spouse must submit the Spousal Application (PDF) and all supporting documents in order to begin receiving pension payments.
At the time of your death, we ask that one of your survivors notify the Pensions & Benefits office of your passing.
The Pensions & Benefits staff will assist your survivors in completing the necessary steps to ensure they receive the benefits or payment they are entitled to.
We understand that this will be a difficult time for your survivors, so it may be helpful for them to know what forms and documents will be required.
If you have an eligible spouse, they must submit the Spousal Application (PDF) along with the following documents:
- Copy of the death certificate or funeral director's Statement of Death
- Copy of surviving spouse's birth certificate or driver's license as proof of age
- Copy of deceased Member's birth certificate or driver's license as proof of age
- Copy of your Marriage Certificate if you are legally married
- Copy of joint income tax returns if you are in a common-law relationship
If you do not have an eligible spouse, your personal representative must submit the following documents:
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Certified copy of Letters Probate or Letter of Administration
- Acceptable form of picture identification of your personal representative