In the Event of Death

Note: Numerous funeral homes will offer assistance by providing important contact information and, in some cases, completing the forms for submission.

You and Your Survivors

You and Your Survivors is an estate-planning workbook published by the Association in partnership with Arbor Memorial. Please note the information provided in the workbook is general in nature and does not replace professional advice or a legal will. Download your copy of You and Your Survivors

87 Decisions: A list of things that need to be done immediately after someone dies: 

Important Decisions To Be Made After a Death - Legacy Of Love

This guide is intended for members, spouses, survivors, executors, and attorneys. It provides helpful information for retirees and supports families and representatives in managing affairs following the death of a member. Please note: this guide is for general assistance only and is not a substitute for personal estate or family planning.

The Government of Canada Pension Centre is the current administrator of the Plan commonly referred to as the “Pension.” It is imperative that they be informed immediately upon the death of a member. They require an original death certificate, or the certificate issued by the funeral director showing the date of death. 

Note: Obtain several original certificates from the funeral director because they may be required at other locations such as banks, insurance companies, and other agencies. 

For General Queries or Notification of a Death: 

Public Works and Government Services Canada Government of Canada Pension Centre – Mail Facility. You can reach a pension expert by: Telephone Toll-Free: 1-800-561-7930 Monday to Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (your local time)

It is very important the Government of Canada Pension Centre be advised immediately upon the death of a member. Failure to do so could result in overpayments that must be repaid. 

Within approximately two weeks of the Government of Canada Pension Centre being notified of a death, a letter should be received from them advising the next of kin of benefits and options available to them. If, after four weeks, no advice has been received from the Government of Canada Pension Centre, it is recommended they be contacted by telephone for confirmation they have received the previous information. The survivor will be required to complete separate forms to establish other survivor benefits and insurance payouts if applicable. 

Other things to be considered by the Survivor are: 

• Taxing of the deceased person’s Pension
• Continuation of Public Service Health Care Plan – Extended Health
• Continuation of the Pensioner’s Dental Services Plan
• Direct Deposit (to be set up in the spouse’s name)
• Canada Pension Plan lump sum death benefit
• Canada Pension Plan Survivor Benefits
• Advice to current or other previous employers 

Since pensions are payable only to the end of the month of death, any cheque not negotiated that cover a period after the month of death must be returned to the pension office. If payments are deposited directly to the pensioner’s account, any payments made past the month of death will be recovered. 

The important thing to remember is that, upon the death of a pensioner, the spouse will receive only fifty (50%) percent of the pensioner’s Superannuation. The Government of Canada Pension Centre upon contact will provide the necessary forms and will advise of the options available. 

Required Documents 

The following documents and information are necessary to obtain these benefits: 

• Pension number (can be found on the Annual Pensioners’ Statement)
• Date of death (death certificate is required in each instance).
• The name and address of the executor or person handling / administering the estate.
• This would include the name and address of the spouse if applicable.
• Death certificate.
• Marriage certificate if applicable.
• Birth certificate of surviving spouse if applicable.
• Birth certificate(s) of dependent children (under age 18 or 18 to 25 if still in school and/or eligible for a survivor benefit). 

Note: Include the deceased member’s pension number on all documents.
 

Other pension, financial and insurance benefits

The Canada Pension Plan 

CPP will pay up to two thousand-five hundred ($2,500.00) dollars towards the cost of the burial. This is a lump sum death benefit, and it is taxable. The payment is based on the total of the deceased’s pension for the previous six months, i.e. six times the amount of the monthly pension payment but not exceeding $2,500.00. The spouse, estate executor or executrix must apply for payment. Necessary forms are available at a Service Canada or the Canada Pension Plan office by calling 1-800-277-9914. Generally, the funeral home director will have these forms and others available as part of the funeral services. 

The Canada Pension Plan will also pay the surviving spouse up to sixty (60%) percent of the deceased’s monthly pension, the actual amount being dependent on the CPP being received by the spouse. 

Note: If you and your spouse have a “split” CPP, the payment is 60% based on the pensioner’s “full” entitlement. For the spouse to obtain this payment, he/she must submit the appropriate forms. CPP payments are indexed to the Consumer Price Index and adjusted on January 1st each year. 

Visit the Canada.ca website for details.
 

Old Age Security (OAS)

Persons 65 or older are eligible to receive Old Age Security (OAS) upon making application if they have resided in Canada for at least 40 years after age 18. People who have resided in Canada between 10 and 40 years are eligible to receive a partial benefit. OAS benefits paid in a year are based on a person’s income as reported on their prior year’s income tax return. 

OAS payments are indexed to the Consumer Price Index and are adjusted on a Quarterly basis (i.e. 1st day of January, April, July and October). 

The Income Security Programs, through Service Canada, must be informed of your spouse’s death for OAS purposes 

Required Information 

• The full name and the Social Security Number (SIN#)
• The date of birth and the date of death
• The pervious address
• The name and address of the person responsible for handling the deceased’s affairs (or next of kin)
• T4A’s (income tax information slip) will be sent to the executor or person administering the estate 

Old Age Pension has no survivor’s benefits. This pension dies with the pensioner. There are, however, provision made for the following cases based on a “means” test. 

Web site: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp/old-age-security.html  

Guarenteed Income Supplement (GIS) for old age pensioners: 

This is an allowance for 60 to 64-year-old partners of GIC recipients. It includes a Survivor Allowance for 60 to 64-year-old widows. Note: If there is any doubt about the eligibility for this or any Federal pension call: 1- 800- 277-9914. 

To qualify for this entitlement (GIS), you must be receiving an Old Age Security Pension, be a resident in Canada, and your income must be below the qualifying level. You need to check with the Pension Office to see if you qualify. It you do, you need not re-apply for this benefit each year if you file your income tax return by April 30th. As mentioned, it depends on your income, and it is a tested benefit based on the income of both spouses. 

Visit Canada.ca for details.
 

Public Service Health Care Plan and dental insurance plans

Public Service Health Care Plan | Survivor Benefits

In most cases, your eligible dependents can continue to receive coverage under the Plan in the event of your death.

Surviving dependents must complete a Pensioner Application Form, which they can obtain from the Compensation Advisor responsible for the file of the deceased Plan member, or from the pension office appropriate to their employer. The application must be submitted within 60 days of the Plan member’s death so that coverage may commence the first day of the month following the month the application is received by the designated officer. If the application is not received within 60 days, a three-month waiting period will apply before their coverage comes into effect.

Monthly PSHCP contributions will be deducted from the survivor’s pension benefit cheque or deposit.

If the surviving dependents of a deceased public service employee or pensioner are eligible to receive survivor pension benefits, they must authorize monthly PSHCP contributions to be deducted from their pension benefit cheques / deposit through the appropriate pension office using the Pensioner Application Form.

Website:  The Public Service Health Care Plan Administration Authority

The Public Service Health Care Plan Member Contact Centre: 1-855-415-4414 (toll-free), Monday to Friday from 8 am to 5 pm, your local time. 

Canada Life Member Services Website: Public Service Health Care Plan (PSHCP) Members Site

Claims can be submitted online for Canada Life. PSHCP claims forms and documents

PSHCP Claims mailing address

Winnipeg Benefits Payments
P.O. Box 99451 Station Main
Winnipeg MB R3C 1E6