The notion of spouse can vary depending on applicable laws, government programs and various pension plans. Consult the
Understanding the notion of spouse and the types of unions in Québec section.
Married or civilly united spouses can partition their employment earnings recorded under the Québec Pension Plan and their benefits accrued under a pension plan. It is the case where there is a separation from bed and board (legal separation), divorce, nullity of marriage, dissolution or nullity of the civil union.
Couples whose de facto union is recognized may also partition their employment earnings recorded under the Québec Pension Plan and their benefits accrued under a pension plan by entering into an agreement to that effect.
Pension plans
Name of the plan
Description
Who to contact
Québec Pension Plan
DescriptionQuébec's public and mandatory plan
Who to contactRetraite Québec
Public-sector pension plans
DescriptionPension plans for employees in the Québec health and social services sector, the education sector and the public service sector (RREGOP,
PPMP, etc.)
Who to contactRetraite Québec
Pension plans of the private, municipal and university sectors
DescriptionSupplemental pension plans offered by the employer
Who to contactPlan administrator
The three steps for partition of the benefits accrued under a pension plan
Request an assessment
You can request, free of charge and at any time, an assessment for partition of the benefits accrued under a pension plan, in the event of a separation.
A person thinking about renouncing partition should take this step, which allows him or her to make an informed decision.
Request for partition to be carried out
You can officially request for partition of the benefits accrued under a pension plan to be carried out if you are separating.
The type of union will determine the steps to take.
Please select your type of union in the following table.
Receive a confirmation by mail
Once the process has been completed, you will receive a written confirmation from the pension plan administrator.
Each person concerned by the partition process will receive a detailed and personalized letter.
Types of unions and the steps to take
You were married or in a civil union
You were in a de facto union
You were married or in a civil union
Civil union and marriage (civil or religious) are solemn acts for which two people publicly express their free and informed consent to live together and to respect the obligations and rights associated with this civil status.
Unlike marriage, a civil union is only valid in Quebec. The civil union was created in 2002, to allow the union of same-sex spouses. It still exists, although marriage has been possible for same-sex couples since 2005.
You were in a de facto union
A de facto union exists when a couple lives together and whether or not they start a family.
Therefore, these two people are de facto spouses, meaning they cohabit without being married or in a civil union.
The recognition of a union and the definition of a de facto spouse can vary from one program to another, based on the number of years of cohabitation or if a child is born from this union.