Survivor benefits
How much pension will my survivors receive after my death?
Watch this video to learn more about who can be considered as the member's survivors and how we calculate their pension entitlement. Includes information on the optional survivor benefits and the 5 year minimum benefit. Click on the links below for additional and more detailed information on this topic.
Transcript of the Survivor benefits
In the event of your death, your partner and your children may be entitled to monthly benefits, regardless of whether death occurs during employment or after retirement.
For a partner to be eligible to a survivor's pension, the marriage or common law relationship must have started prior to the date you ceased to be employed.
The pension payable to your partner will be for their lifetime and equals 50% of your unreduced pension. The survivor's pension is not affected by the loss of the bridge benefit or any reduction for early retirement as in the case of an Annual Allowance. Children and students are entitled to 10% of your unreduced pension. The survivor's pension and children allowances are also indexed to the cost of living.
Occasionally, a member may have two survivors; for example, a separated spouse and a common-law partner. In this situation, the total amount of the survivor's pension could be apportioned based on the number of years each survivor cohabitated with you.
If you marry after retirement, your partner is not entitled to a survivor's pension. However, you may choose to opt for the Optional Survivor Benefit. By reducing your own pension, this option will entitle your partner to a survivor's pension. Upon your death, it is payable for the lifetime of your partner and is indexed to the cost of living.
Your child may be entitled to a Child’s allowance if they are less than 18 years of age. However, children between the ages of 18 and 25 may receive allowances if they are enrolled in school or another educational institution full-time and have attended continuously since their 18th birthday or the date of your death, whichever is later.
A child's allowance is equal to one fifth of the survivor benefit to a maximum combined amount of four fifths of the survivor benefit. If there are more than four children, the maximum combined amount payable may be divided among all the eligible children.
For more information about survivor's benefits, please visit Pension and benefits web portal or contact the Government of Canada Pension Centre.
Public Services and Procurement Canada
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View the Survivor benefits video.