Pension Partners

A “pension partner” is a term used in our Plan rules to denote your spouse or someone with whom you share a relationship akin to marriage. Throughout this website, you’ll often find us using the terms “spouse” or “partner” interchangeably with “pension partner”.

Who Can Be a Pension Partner?

If you are married, your spouse is automatically your pension partner unless you have been living separate and apart for longer than 3 years.

If you are living with an individual in a spouse-like relationship for a period of 3 years in a row, that individual becomes your pension partner.

If you have a child by birth or adoption from the relationship, and are living together in a spouse-like relationship, your partner becomes your pension partner.

It’s crucial for us to know about your spouse or partner when you first join the Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP). If you don’t have a pension partner at the time of joining, please remember to update us if your situation changes. It’s equally important to inform us if you divorce, separate, or remarry.

Understanding Your Spouse’s or Partner’s Rights Before and After Retirement

Your spouse or partner receives special protection under the Plan rules. They are the sole beneficiary of your pension benefit if you pass away before your pension commences. For example, PSPP will provide a lifetime pension to your spouse or partner if you pass away after vesting.

Your spouse or partner has the option to waive the right to any survivor benefit if you die before starting your pension. However, this waiver must be completed before your death. It can also be revoked by your spouse or partner at any time before your death, reinstating them as the sole beneficiary.

Upon your retirement and the commencement of your monthly pension, the Plan rules mandate that you choose a pension option that guarantees a lifetime benefit to your spouse or partner if you predecease them.

Your spouse or partner can waive the right to this benefit at the time of your retirement. This waiver allows you to select a single lifetime pension option and to designate other beneficiaries.

Spouse vs. Beneficiary: What’s the Difference?

Your spouse or partner is the primary recipient of any payment from the Plan in the event of your death. If you die without a spouse or partner, or if the pension partner survivor benefits have been waived, the beneficiary(ies) you have named will receive your death benefit.

However, beneficiaries are not entitled to lifetime pension payments. These rights are exclusive to your pension partner. For more information on beneficiary death benefits, please visit our Death before Retirement page.

If you have any questions about your situation, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Relationship Changes

In case of a divorce or separation, please inform us as soon as possible so we can provide you with the necessary paperwork to update your pension partner’s information.

Post-separation, your pension benefit may need to be divided between you and your spouse. This division requires a Matrimonial Property Order (MPO) to be filed with us, detailing when and how your PSPP benefit is to be divided, if at all. We recommend consulting independent legal counsel on how to obtain an MPO.

If you provide us with a draft MPO, we will review it to ensure it complies with the Plan rules. This step can save you time and money if revisions are needed. Please note, we cannot administer an MPO that does not comply with the Plan rules.

Completing a Pre-Retirement Death Benefit Waiver does not prevent your pension partner from seeking a division of your pension.

More about Relationship Changes

Did you know?

If you marry for the first time, remarry, or begin a common-law relationship after retirement, you may be able to apply to provide your new spouse with a monthly pension if you pass away first. Time limits and conditions apply. Please contact the Member Services Centre to discuss your situation.

If your application to provide survivor benefits to your new spouse is approved, your pension will be adjusted to reflect the cost of providing this benefit. The adjustment will be made based on your age and the age of your spouse at the time the choice is made