How to name (or change) a beneficiary before retirement

Learn how to name your beneficiary while you are an active member of the plan.


You can name a beneficiary to receive your pension benefit if you die before you retire.

Your spouse is automatically your beneficiary if you are married or in a common-law relationship of more than two years.

The exception to this is if your spouse waives their beneficiary right to your pension benefit by submitting Form 4 Spouse’s waiver of beneficiary right to benefits in a pension plan, locked-in retirement account, life income fund or annuity before payments start.

If you do not have a spouse, or if your spouse has waived their beneficiary right to your pension benefit, you may be able to name one or more beneficiaries other than your spouse to receive your pension benefit.

Name a beneficiary by either:

  • Signing in to My Account to make your change immediately
  • Submitting the Nomination of beneficiary (pre-retirement) form to the WorkSafeBC Pension Plan

Naming a beneficiary online through My Account or submitting the Nomination of beneficiary (pre-retirement) form allows you to:

  • Name an alternate beneficiary (or beneficiaries) if your spouse dies before you
  • Name your beneficiaries (and their alternates) if you do not have a spouse or your spouse has waived their right to your pension benefit

Follow these same steps to change your beneficiary or beneficiaries.

Naming a beneficiary online or submitting the Nomination of beneficiary (pre-retirement) form will replace and revoke any previous beneficiary you named.

If you are divorced or separated, all beneficiary nominations must comply with separation agreements and court orders.


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