Beneficiaries and your pension

Learn the options available to you when choosing a beneficiary (or beneficiaries) for your pension benefit.

Changing your beneficiaries after retirement

Your ability to change your beneficiary or have multiple beneficiaries depends on whether you had a spouse at retirement and the pension option you chose.

Not all pension options allow you to name or change a beneficiary, and in some cases you may not have a choice, since your spouse may already be your beneficiary.

If you choose a joint life pension with a guarantee at your retirement, your spouse must be your beneficiary; they cannot waive this right. However, you can name or change an alternate beneficiary(ies) to receive your pension benefit should your spouse die before you during the guarantee period.

If you chose a single life pension option at retirement, you may be able to name a different beneficiary. If your spouse is currently your beneficiary, you can only name a different beneficiary if your spouse waives their beneficiary rights. They will need to sign a waiver before you can name a new beneficiary.

Sign in to My Account to view your current pension option and beneficiary.

If you are eligible to change your beneficiary(ies), you can do so online through My Account or by submitting a Change of beneficiary (for retired member) form to the plan.