In retirement, changes to your spousal status may impact your pension. If you are getting married, entering a common-law relationship or ending a spousal relationship after retiring, find out what you need to know and how to update your status.
New spousal relationship
What you need to know
If you have no eligible survivors* and you begin a new spousal relationship after your pension has begun, your new spouse is not automatically entitled to a 60 per cent survivor pension.
In order to provide your new spouse with a survivor pension, you will have pay for the survivor pension through a permanent reduction to your pension.
You may start the process by completing the Application for Post-Retirement Spouse Survivor Pension (OPTrust 1016R) form.
If you are married, you must apply within 90 days of your date of marriage, or
If you are in a common law relationship, you must apply within 90 days of the third-year anniversary of the date your common-law relationship began, and
If you have a dependent child that may be eligible for survivor benefits, you must apply within 90 days of the date you no longer have an eligible child.
If you miss the 90-day window, you may still apply, but your application must include a Certificate of Health signed by your physician or nurse practitioner certifying that you are in good health.
You may choose to provide your new spouse with a survivor pension equal to 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, or 75 per cent of your lifetime pension. The cost of the survivor pension will vary depending on the option you choose.
OPTrust will send you a quote outlining the cost for each option and an election form.
Once you have returned the completed election form, your pension will be reduced to pay for the survivor pension for your new spouse.
The reduction to your pension will remain in effect for your lifetime, even if your new spouse dies before you do.
If you qualify for post-retirement insured benefits and your pension has been reduced to provide a survivor pension for your new spouse, your new spouse will qualify to receive post-retirement insured benefits coverage after you die.
*Eligible survivors include an eligible spouse at retirement or eligible children.
How to update your spousal status
Send OPTrust:
Copy of your spouse’s birth certificate, driver's licence or passport.
Notify OPTrust if you are changing your surname.
Update your beneficiaries using the Retiree Spousal Information and Beneficiary Designation (OPTrust 1015R) form or through your Online Services account.
You may add your new spouse to your post-retirement insured benefits coverage by completing the Canada Life Insured Benefits (OPTrust 3011) form.
Decide if you want your pension reduced to provide a survivor pension for your new spouse.
Send OPTrust:
Copy of your spouse’s birth certificate, driver's licence or passport.
Notify OPTrust if you are changing your surname.
Update your beneficiaries using the Retiree Spousal Information and Beneficiary Designation (OPTrust 1015R) form or through your Online Services account.
You may add your new spouse to your post-retirement insured benefits coverage by completing the Canada Life Insured Benefits (OPTrust 3011) form.
Decide if you want your pension reduced to provide a survivor pension for your new spouse.
Send OPTrust a copy of your:
Marriage certificate and Statement of Marital Status (OPTrust 3007) form, and
Spouse’s birth certificate, driver's licence or passport.
Notify OPTrust if you are changing your surname.
Update your beneficiaries using the Retiree Spousal Information and Beneficiary Designation (OPTrust 1015R) form or through your Online Services account.
If applicable, add your new spouse to your post-retirement insured benefits coverage by completing the Canada Life Insured Benefits (OPTrust 3011) form.
Decide if you want your pension reduced to provide a survivor pension for your new spouse.
Send OPTrust a copy of your:
Marriage certificate and Statement of Marital Status (OPTrust 3007) form, and
Spouse’s birth certificate, driver's licence or passport.
Notify OPTrust if you are changing your surname.
Update your beneficiaries using the Retiree Spousal Information and Beneficiary Designation (OPTrust 1015R) form or through your Online Services account.
If applicable, add your new spouse to your post-retirement insured benefits coverage by completing the Canada Life Insured Benefits (OPTrust 3011) form.
Decide if you want your pension reduced to provide a survivor pension for your new spouse.
Breakdown of your spousal relationship
Ending a spousal relationship is a major life change that may require you and your former spouse to make important decisions about your assets, including your pension.
What you need to know
Decisions regarding the valuation and division of your pension can be complicated. To ensure you understand your legal rights and options, OPTrust strongly recommends that you and your former spouse seek independent legal advice before you apply for a Family Law Value or decide to divide your pension. OPTrust cannot provide you or your former spouse with legal or financial advice. Read our fact sheet if your marriage or common-law relationship has ended and you are considering or are in the process of addressing how your family assets may be divided, including steps for valuing and dividing your pension.
How to update your spousal status
Through your Online Services account:
Review your beneficiary information and update it as necessary.
Send OPTrust a completed Statement of Marital Status (OPTrust 3007) form.
Family Law and Your Pension (Post-2011 Rules)
Ending a spousal relationship is a major life change that may require you and your former spouse to make important decisions about your assets, including your pension.
When to update your information through your Online Services account
Any life changes – marriage, new common-law spouse, separation, divorce, new beneficiaries.
Changes to contact information – address, phone number, email address.