To side navigationSkip all navigation
Canadian flag Government of CanadaCanada wordmark
Français Contact Us Help Search Canada Site
About Us What's New A to Z Index Site Map Home
Your Public Service Pension and Benefits


Life Events
Active Member
Retired Member
Plans
Your Pension Plan
Pension at a Glance
Benefits at a Glance
Information
Pensionfacts
Weighing Your Options
Retirement Package
Service Buyback Package
Pension Portability Package
Tools

Basic Tools
Pension Calculator
Service Buyback Estimator

Personalized Tools
Employee Benefits Statement
Pension Calculator
Service Buyback Estimator
Announcements
Pension and Benefits
Resource Centre
FAQ
Glossary
Forms
Related Sites
Increase Text Size


Active Member - When Death Occurs




Printable Version

The following information is intended to provide you with an understanding of your potential survivor and child entitlements under the Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP). In the event of death, your compensation advisor should be notified immediately.

You may want to know...


Are your family members protected in the event of your death?

Who is able to claim survivor benefits?

What documentation is required to make a claim for survivor benefits?

Are there any additional death benefits that will be paid out if you pass away?

What death benefits are available if you are slain while on duty?

Do any of your group benefit plans continue for your family after your death?

Are your family members protected in the event of your death?



If you have 2 or more years of pensionable service to your credit, your family is protected under your pension plan in the event of your death. Your eligible survivors and eligible children may be entitled to survivor benefits and child allowances.

If you have less than two years of pensionable service to your credit, your eligible survivors or estate is entitled to a return of contributions, plus interest.

Who is able to claim survivor benefits?



A survivor allowance is payable to a spouse or common-law partner. In the event that you are separated from your legal spouse but have a partner who may also qualify for an allowance, the benefit would normally be divided between the two applicants based on the period of cohabitation. Additional information may be found by consulting the Superannuation Sector.

What documentation is required to make a claim for survivor benefits?


For a legal spouse, a copy of the marriage certificate is required. For a common-law relationship, sworn statements and other evidence that demonstrates the conjugal nature and the period of the relationship are required. Additional information may be found by visiting the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat.
Top of Page

Are there any additional death benefits that will be paid out if you pass away?



Yes. The Supplementary Death Benefit (SDB) provides a form of decreasing term life insurance. The basic benefit is equal to twice your annual salary and decreases by 10% annually to a minimum of $10,000, starting at age 66. If you die as an active member of the PSPP, your SDB benefit will never reduce below 33% of your annual salary (rounded up to the nearest $1,000) or below $10,000, whichever is greater.

The benefit is paid to your designated beneficiary or your estate and is calculated as follows:

Annual Salary x 2 Rounded up to the nearest $1,000

Under the PSPP there is a minimum benefit guaranteed should there be no more eligible survivors or children. For more information, refer to minimum benefit.

Also the Public Service Management Insurance Plan (PSMIP) provides group life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance to members. Members are generally those who are employed in managerial or confidential positions. To determine if you are eligible to enroll in the PSMIP, contact your compensation advisor.

What death benefits are available if you are slain while on duty?


The Public Service Income Benefit Plan for Survivors of Employees Slain on Duty provides your family with an income guarantee if your death was caused by an act of violence occurring in the course of or arising out of the performance of your duties as a Federal Public Service employee. The plan is designed to supplement the income eligible survivors receive from various government sources, to guarantee an income level equal to the net salary or the net pension these employees would have received if alive.
The High Risk Travel Compensation Program (HRCTP) is designed to provide the survivors of Public Service employees on official travel status with compensation for private life insurance benefits not paid because death occurred as a result of war or other hostile activities.
Flying Accidents Compensation provides for the payment of compensation to employees or their dependants where injury or death is a direct result of a non-scheduled flight undertaken by an employee in the course of duty, or in the case of a civil aviation inspector where injury or death is a direct result of any flight undertaken for the purpose of conducting a flight test or monitoring commercial air operations on that flight.

Do any of your group benefit plans continue for your family after your death?



Yes. Coverage under the Public Service Health Care Plan (PSHCP) continues in the event of your death if your dependants are in receipt of a recognized survivor's or children's benefit. As well, your survivor or child (where no survivor exists) may apply for coverage under the PSHCP even if you were not a member or only had single coverage.
Top of Page