How to change your beneficiary after retirement

Find out if you are eligible to change your beneficiary after you retire – and what you need to do.

Your ability to change your beneficiary after retirement depends on whether you have a spouse and the pension option you selected at retirement.

If you selected a 100% joint life pension option

If you selected a 100 per cent joint life pension option when you retired, your spouse must be your beneficiary.

If you selected a joint life pension option with a guarantee

If you selected a joint life pension with a 5-, 10- or 15-year guarantee, you can name an alternate beneficiary or beneficiaries to receive your pension benefit if your spouse dies before you during the guaranteed period.

If you selected a single life pension option

If you selected a single life pension when you retired, you can change your beneficiary if the guarantee period has not expired. If your beneficiary is currently your spouse, they may have to complete a waiver. Please contact the plan for more information.

Changing your beneficiary

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

You can name persons or organizations (such as societies, charities, trusts or corporations) as your beneficiary or beneficiaries. You can also name your estate.

The total percentage of the benefit you allocate to your beneficiaries must equal 100 per cent.

All beneficiary nominations must comply with any separation agreements and court orders.

If you are naming more than two beneficiaries or wish to name alternate beneficiaries, attach a separate sheet to the form to include this information.

When you die, the pension plan will refer to the most recent Nomination of beneficiary (at retirement) or Change of beneficiary (for retired member) form on file (or your will, if your executor indicates that there are named beneficiaries) to process any remaining pension benefit.