Relationship Changes
Pension benefits are considered family property, so your spouse or partner is protected by various laws and Plan rules. Please see information for adult interdependent partners below.
Your former spouse or partner may be entitled to up to 50% of the pension benefit you earned from when you were married or living together until you separated. This is called the joint accrual period.
Dividing your pension is not a requirement – the decision is up to you and your former spouse or partner.
PSPP cannot provide legal or financial advice. You are strongly encouraged to seek independent legal advice. Your legal representative can refer to Instructions for Lawyers – Questions and Answers document.
Division method options for the joint accrual period are based on the member’s status and age.
| Member Status | Amount Description | Former Spouse or Partner Payment Options |
|---|---|---|
| Active or deferred - not vested (less than two year’s pensionable service) | Percentage of the member’s contributions with interest | Taxable lump sum payment; or Transfer to a Registered Retirement Savings Account (RRSP) |
| Active or deferred - vested and under age 55 | Percentage of the member’s Commuted Value | Lump sum transfer to a Locked-in Retirement Account (LIRA) |
| Active or deferred - vested and age 55 and over | Percentage of the member’s Commuted Value | Transfer to a LIRA; or Delayed transfer to a LIRA at the time of the member’s termination, transfer to another pension plan, retirement, or death. |
| Retired – receiving monthly PSPP pension payments | Percentage of the member’s monthly pension payment | Regular monthly pension payments |
End of a Relationship: Pre-Retirement
If you and your spouse or partner separate or divorce:
1. Contact Us!
Request Total Entitlement Statement
Send a Secure Message through Your Pension Profile (YPP) to notify us of your relationship status and request a total entitlement statement. Alternatively, you or your former spouse or partner can request it by mail. This statement estimates the value of your PSPP pension benefit earned for the joint accrual period.
The Total Entitlement Statement request must include:
- The signature of the person requesting the estimate,
- The full names, current address, and current phone numbers of both the PSPP member and the partner (a current address and phone number can be care of a lawyer),
- An estimated beginning and end date for the joint accrual period (end date must be on or before the date or request),
- If the request is from or going to a member’s lawyer, the member must sign an authorization to disclose the estimate to that lawyer, and
- If the request is from or going to a partner’s lawyer, the partner must sign an authorization to disclose the estimate to that lawyer.
Regardless of who initiated the request, a total entitlement estimate is received by both the member and former spouse or partner (or their lawyers if applicable) within 4-6 weeks.
2. Submit a Property Division Order (PDO) or Separation Agreement
Submit a court-certified copy of the Pension Division Order or a copy of the separation agreement to PSPP that includes all the required elements to either divide or waive rights to the member’s pension benefits.
The valid PDO or separation agreement needs to include:
- Name of Pension Plan and member’s identification number
- Joint accrual date
- One of the following:
- Division method and percentage of division; or
- Statement of the former spouse or partner waiving their rights to the member’s pension benefit.
PSPP will review the PDO or separation agreement to ensure it meets plan rules and legislative requirements.
3. Division of Pension entitlement, if applicable
Upon receipt of a valid PDO or separation agreement, a pension division statement is sent to the former spouse or partner. The statement indicates the amount they will receive from the pension division once they submit the required documents to PSPP.
Required Documents
- Election form
- Request for Transfer/ LIRA form
- Social Insurance Number
After we receive the required documentation from your former spouse or partner, the lump sum payment is transferred to their Locked-in Retirement Account within 30 days.
After the transfer of funds is complete, the former spouse or partner will receive a letter indicating the transfer is complete.
4. Pension Benefit Adjustment
Immediate Division
Once the pension division is complete, you will receive a pension division statement that indicates your recalculated residual benefit. Your future annual statements will reflect the recalculated benefit amount.
Delayed Division
The amount of accumulated pension in your annual statements will not reflect your residual benefit until after the benefit is paid out to your former spouse or partner.
End of a Relationship: Post-Retirement
If you are retired, receiving monthly pension payments, and your relationship ends, your former spouse or partner may be entitled to a share of your monthly pension payments. Your monthly payments will be divided according to the valid PDO or separation agreement. Direct monthly payments to your former spouse or partner will start within 30 days of the effective date indicated in the PDO or agreement.
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 see the PS-191 PSPP Post-Retirement Spousal Application Form. This can be filled out electronically.
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.
If you have any questions about the form, including details on eligibility and the application process, please reach out to the Member Services Centre through YPP or by phone.
Adult Interdependent Partners
Adult interdependent partners who do not meet the definition of pension partner are not eligible for a division of pension benefits. However, Plan members who were in an adult interdependent relationship can request information about the value of their pension benefit. These statements can be used to demonstrate the pension accrued during the period of interdependence.
To request a statement, the member must submit a written request with the following information:
- The signature of the member,
- The full name, current address and current phone number of the member,
- A beginning and end date of the period of interdependence (the end date must be either a date before the request, or the date of the request), and;
- If the request is from, or is to go to, a member’s lawyer, we require an authorization signed by the member allowing us to share the estimate with that lawyer.
Please note, only the plan member may request this statement. A copy will not be provided to the member’s adult interdependent partner.