Notice to Canadian Forces Pensioners

November 2009 (This notice is sent to all CF pensioners every year.)

MARRIAGE AFTER 60 YEARS OF AGE

The following information will be of interest to pensioners who have married in the last year or who may be considering marriage after age sixty.

Under Section 31 of the Canadian Forces Superannuation Act there is no provision for payment of a spouse's allowance upon a pensioner's death where the marriage occurred after age sixty, unless a common-law relationship existed prior to age sixty. However, a pensioner who was not in a common-law relationship prior to age sixty and who marries after sixty may choose to provide a form of survivor benefit coverage for his/her spouse, if the election is made within one year of the date of marriage.

You are eligible to choose this coverage for your spouse if you married after age sixty. Please note that coverage is NOT available for common-law spouses or persons cohabitating in relationships of a conjugal nature, nor is it available for survivors in receipt of a spouse?s allowance.

Pensioners who choose to provide this coverage will have a choice of three different spousal benefit levels. The pensioner's monthly pension would then be reduced according to the level of spousal benefit chosen: the greater the spousal benefit - the greater the reduction to the pensioner's monthly pension.

In the event that you choose this coverage for your spouse, the reduction to your pension will continue for your lifetime unless your spouse predeceases you, or your marriage is dissolved by divorce or annulment. If one of these events occurs, your full pension entitlement will be reinstated from that point forward. In other words, since the spousal benefit coverage has ended, your monthly pension would no longer include the reduction for that coverage.

If you have married within the past year, and are sixty or over and are interested in this benefit, please write to National Defence Headquarters, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K2, Attention: Director Canadian Forces Pensions Services 8, or call toll-free 1-800-267-0325.
A letter will be forwarded to you including an estimate of the spousal benefit, and the corresponding reduction to your monthly pension, for each level of coverage. Instructions on electing for this coverage will be enclosed with the estimate.

The deadline for electing for coverage is one year from the date of your marriage.