Death

The rules vary according to the pension plan under which you are receiving your pension (the RREGOP, the PPMP, the TPP or the CSSP). Here is an overview of those rules:

Situation 1: You receive a pension under the RREGOP or the PPMP

1.1 You have a spouse when you die

Under the RREGOP or the PPMP, if you have a spouse at the time of your death, he or she will receive a surviving spouse's pension.

For more information about the pension payable to your spouse, refer to the section entitled Death and Your Pension in the following document:

• Guide for New Beneficiaries RREGOP and PPMP 

1.2 You do not have a spouse when you die

Under the RREGOP or the PPMP, if you do not have a spouse at the time of your death, your heirs can receive an amount equal to:

Situation 2: You receive a pension under the TPP or the CSSP

2.1 You have a spouse or children at the time of your death

Under the TPP or the CSSP, a pension will be paid to your spouse and your single children under age 18, or to those over 18 but under 21, provided they are full-time students at a recognized educational institution, and their basic needs are being provided for by an adult, regardless of filiation.

For more information about the pension payable to your spouse or children, you can read the section entitled Death and Your Pension in the following document:

• Guide for New Beneficiaries RREGOP and PPMP 

2.2 You have no spouse or children at the time of your death

Under the TPP or the CSSP, if you do not have a spouse or child at the time of your death (or if your children do not meet the requirements in 2.1 above), your heirs can receive an amount equal to:

If you are not married or in a civil union, your pension plan will recognize as your spouse the person of the opposite sex or of the same sex that you presented as your spouse and who, at the time of your death, was not married to or in a civil union with another person and must have been living in a conjugal relationship with you for at least 3 years.

That period is only one year (instead of 3) if:

• a child is born or to be born of your union; OR
• you and your spouse adopted a child together during your union; OR
• you or your spouse adopted the other's child during your union.

As previously mentioned, the act governing your pension plan already contains provisions regarding your beneficiary. The rules vary according to the plan under which you are receiving your pension (the RREGOP, the PPMP, the TPP or the CSSP).

Situation 1: You are receiving a pension under the RREGOP or the PPMP

1.1 You have a spouse at the time of your death

Regardless of your will, amounts accrued under your plan will go to your spouse. The same rule applies if you do not have a will.

1.2 You do not have a spouse at the time of your death

Amounts accrued under your plan will become part of your estate and go to your designated heirs. If you do not leave a will, your estate, including the amounts accrued under your plan, will go to your heirs in accordance with the provisions of the Civil Code of Québec.

Situation 2: You are receiving a pension under the TPP or the CSSP

2.1 You have a spouse or children at the time of your death

Regardless of your will, amounts accrued under your plan will go to your spouse and your single children under age 18, or those over 18 but under 21 provided they are full-time students at a recognized educational institution and their basic needs are being provided for by an adult, regardless of filiation. The same rule applies if you did not make a will.

2.2 You do not have a spouse or children at the time of your death

Amounts accrued under your plan will become part of your estate and . go to your designated heirs. If you do not leave a will, your estate, including amounts accrued under your plan, will go to your heirs in accordance with the provisions of the Civil Code of Québec.

When a member or retiree dies, a public-sector pension plan provides for the priority payment of benefits to the surviving spouse. The benefits vary depending on the pension plan and status of the deceased member or retiree at the time of his or her death.

However, the spouse can waive his or her spousal benefits in favour of the heirs and subsequently revoke such a waiver. It can later be revoked by notifying us in writing. We must receive the notice before the member or retiree dies. If the notice is incomplete, the waiver or revocation of the waiver will be deemed invalid.

A waiver of spousal benefits or a revocation of such a waiver must meet the following criteria:

• It must refer to all benefits.
• We must have received it before the death of the member or retiree.
• It must be made using the Notice of Waiver or Revocation  (161A) or a written notice that contains all the information required by regulation:
  • the pension plan covered by the waiver
  • the name and address of the member or retiree
  • the name and address of the renouncing spouse
  • the date of the notice.

No, a waiver under the RREGOP is not valid under the PPMP.

When a person participates to more than one pension plan, a waiver is needed for each plan. Also, when a person changes plans, a new notice must be sent to us.