Divorce or separation – Public service pension plan

You should inform the Government of Canada Pension Centre (Pension Centre) in the event of a Separation or Divorce. 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 Pension Centre that the relationship has ended and providing the date.

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

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.

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.

Either you or your former spouse/common-law partner may apply for a pension benefits division.

• Step 1: Request information on pension benefits division.

  Before you submit your request for an estimate, consult the Request for Estimate section in the Division of Pension Benefits Package for more information on the number of estimates you can receive per period of 12 months and which documents and forms are required.

  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 (PWGSC-TPSGC 2488) form, 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 (PWGSC-TPSGC 2486) form, 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 pension 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. Additional information is found under the Pension Benefits Division Act and the Pension Benefits Division Regulations.

When you are in receipt of a pension, your pension will be reduced immediately upon completion of the division.

If at the time of your death you were divorced, your former spouse will not be entitled to a survivor benefit.

If at the time of your death you were separated from your common-law partner, that partner's entitlement to a survivor benefit ends immediately upon separation and therefore, will not be entitled to a survivor benefit.

If at the time of your death you were separated from your legal spouse but not divorced, your spouse would be entitled to a survivor benefit. However, if you were separated from your legal spouse and your former spouse had applied for a division of pension benefits, your legal spouse would only be entitled to a survivor benefit in respect of the portion not covered by the division.

For more information, consult the Survivor Benefits section.

There is no impact for Supplementary Death Benefit (SDB) purposes. However, if you named your former spouse as a beneficiary, they will still be entitled to receive your SDB benefit upon your passing.

To name or change your beneficiaries, complete and submit a new Naming or Changing Your Beneficiaries (PWGSC-TPSGC 2196) form or use the Active Member Pension Portal (accessible only on the Government of Canada network).

No. Wills, Agreements and Court Orders do not affect who receives your Supplementary Death Benefit (SDB). The beneficiaries named on the Naming or Changing Your Beneficiaries (PWGSC-TPSGC 2196) form or through the Active Member Pension Portal (accessible only on the Government of Canada network) will receive the SDB.

You must name new beneficiaries to cancel the previous designation.

You must contact the Pension Centre by telephone. Alternatively, you can designate new beneficiaries on the Active Member Pension Portal (accessible only on the Government of Canada network) or by completing and submitting the Naming or Changing Your Beneficiaries (PWGSC-TPSGC 2196) form. Once you’ve designated new beneficiaries on the Active Member Pension Portal, you’ll be able to view or update your beneficiaries online.

Yes, you should update your beneficiaries’ information using the Active Member Pension Portal (accessible only on the Government of Canada network), or by completing the Naming or Changing Your Beneficiaries (PWGSC-TPSGC 2196) form.