In the event that your marriage or relationship of a conjugal nature breaks down, it is important to understand the possible impact on your pension and insurance benefits plans. The following information outlines the potential consequences to your plans.

You may want to know...

• Whom should you inform in the event of your separation or divorce?
• Can your pension benefits be divided in the event of divorce or separation?
• Who is eligible for a division of pension benefits?
• What steps are involved in obtaining a division of pension benefits?
• How are your survivor benefits affected?
• How is your Supplementary Death Benefit Plan (SDB) affected?
• Does your Will affect who receives your Supplementary Death Benefit (SDB)?
• If you don't remember whom you named as the beneficiary of your Supplementary Death Benefit (SDB), how do you find out who it is?
• Should you inform the Public Service Pension Centre if the person you've named as the beneficiary of your Supplementary Death Benefit (SDB) Plan moves?
• How are your insurance benefit plans affected?
• How is your Public Service Management Insurance Plan (PSMIP) affected?

Whom should you inform in the event of your separation or divorce?
You should inform the Public Service Pension Centre if you are separated or divorced.

Please send copies of the following documents:

• If you are separated – the separation papers;
• If you are divorced – the divorce decree absolute;
• If you are no longer in a common-law relationship – a letter advising the Public Service Pension Centre that the relationship has ended.

Please include your pension number on all documents. If you don't know your pension number, include your Personal Record Identifier (PRI) instead.

Can your pension benefits be divided in the event of divorce or separation?
Yes. The Pension Benefits Division Act provides for the division of the pension benefits that you have accumulated under the Public Service pension plan in the event of your marriage or common-law relationship breakdown.

Who is eligible for a division of pension benefits?
You or your spouse/common-law partner may apply after you have been separated for at least one year. However, if the application is based on a Court Order pertaining to divorce, annulment or separation, then the one-year separation requirement does not apply.

In the case of a common-law relationship, an application may be made only if your relationship lasted a minimum of one year.

In either case, you must have a Court Order or written agreement signed by you and your spouse that provides for the division of your pension benefits.

What steps are involved in obtaining a division of pension benefits?
Either you or your former spouse/common-law partner may apply for a pension benefits division.

Step 1: Request information on pension benefits division.

If you want an estimate of the division amount before you apply for a division, you must submit the Request for Pension Benefits Division Information form (PDF 19.5 KB, Help for PDF file), along with any other required documents.

Step 2: Apply for pension benefits division.

You must submit the Application for Division of a Public Service Superannuation Act  Pension form (PDF 1.01MB, Help for PDF file), along with your Court Order or written agreement, and any other required documents.

Step 3: Division of pension benefits.

Once the division is approved, the amount representing the value of the benefits earned during the period subject to division is transferred into a chosen registered retirement savings account(s).

These steps are described in further detail in the Division of Pension Benefits Package. For a summary of the Act and its Regulations, consult the Pension Benefits Division Act – Description and the Pension Benefits Division Act – Program Overview.

How are your survivor benefits affected?
If you are divorced, your former spouse will not be entitled to a survivor benefit.

If you are separated from your common-law partner, that partner's entitlement to a survivor benefit ends immediately upon separation.

However, if you are separated from your legal spouse but not divorced, your spouse is entitled to a survivor benefit. In cases where you are separated from your legal spouse and have a division of pension benefits, your former spouse is only entitled to a survivor benefit in respect of the portion not covered by the division. For more information, consult Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat.

How is your Supplementary Death Benefit Plan (SDB) affected?
There is no impact for SDB purposes. Please note that your former spouse will still be entitled to receive your SDB benefit if you have named this person as your beneficiary.

To designate a new beneficiary, you must complete a new Naming or Substitution of a Beneficiary form (PDF 654KB, Help for PDF file).

Does your Will affect who receives your Supplementary Death Benefit (SDB)?
Wills, Agreements and Court Orders do not affect who receives your death benefit.
The person you named as your beneficiary for the SDB Plan receives your death benefit. You can only name one beneficiary under this plan. If you wish to divide your death benefit among two or more people, you must name your estate as the beneficiary. You may then specify in your Will how it should be divided.

If you don't remember whom you named as the beneficiary of your Supplementary Death Benefit (SDB), how do you find out who it is?
For information about your beneficiary, please write or call the Public Service Pension Centre. Please note that the Superannuation Sector will ask you for your pension number or Personal Record Identifier (PRI).

Should you inform the Public Service Pension Centre if the person you've named as the beneficiary of your Supplementary Death Benefit (SDB) Plan moves?
Yes, you should notify the Public Service Pension Centre when your beneficiary moves. In the event of your death, if the Pension Centre has a current address for your beneficiary, the benefit can be paid more quickly.
When you contact the Public Service Pension Centre, please have the following:

• Pension number or Personal Record Identifier (PRI);
• Name of beneficiary;
• Your beneficiary's new address.

How are your insurance benefit plans affected?
Once you become divorced, your former spouse is no longer eligible for benefits under the following plans:

• Public Service Health Care Plan (PSHCP)
• Public Service Dental Care Plan (PSDCP)
• High Risk Travel Compensation Program (HRCTP)
• Public Service Income Benefit Plan for Survivors of Employees Slain on Duty
• Flying Accidents Compensation

In the event of a divorce or separation, a member may wish to consider changing their Public Service Health Care Plan (PSHCP) coverage from Family to Single if there are no other dependants for whom PSHCP benefits are being provided. While the finalization of a divorce results in the automatic ineligibility of PSHCP claim payments on behalf of the divorced spouse, PSHCP benefits can continue if you are separated from your spouse or common-law partner. Amending your coverage type can be accomplished by completing and submitting either an electronic application using the secure online PSHCP Web Application on the Compensation Web Applications (CWA) or, if you do not have access to CWA, you can complete and submit a paper application form to your designated compensation advisor.

How is your Public Service Management Insurance Plan (PSMIP) affected?
Any dependant's coverage ends once you become divorced. However, your former spouse will still be entitled to receive benefits resulting from your death if you have named that person as your beneficiary.

To designate a new beneficiary, you must complete a new Public Service Management Insurance Plan form (PDF 70KB, Help for PDF file).