Change your pension option

You have 60 days after your pension is granted to change your pension option.

You have 60 days from when your pension is granted to change your pension option. After that time, your selection is final.

However, if you have a spouse, you may not be able to change your pension option even within the 60-day period. Under provincial legislation, your spouse has certain rights to your pension.

Your spouse can only give up their rights to a 60 per cent joint life survivor pension before your pension starts. Once the pension starts, this right cannot be waived or reduced.

If your spouse dies within 60 days of your pension being granted, you can change to any pension option as there is no longer a need to protect your spouse’s rights to your pension. If your spouse dies after the 60-day period, you cannot change your pension option.