As a member of the OPSEU Pension Plan, changes to your spousal or common-law status may impact your pension. If your spousal status changes, find out what you need to know and how to update your spousal status with OPTrust. Before paying any survivor benefits to your spouse, OPTrust will need to confirm that your spousal relationship meets the Plan’s requirements.
New spousal relationship
What you need to know
Your new spouse may be entitled to survivor benefits if they qualify when you retire or die.
The survivor pension is increased for inflation every January.
Post-retirement insured benefits apply to your spouse if you qualified for them when you retired.
If you have been living with someone for less than three years, they will not count as a “spouse” under the Plan, but you may designate them as your beneficiary using your Online Services account.
If you have a spouse, send OPTrust:
Your spouse’s proof of age. Copy of your spouse's birth certificate, driver's licence or passport
Note: If you are a deferred member without access to Online Services, you can submit your documents via our Contact Us page.
If you have been living with someone for less than three years, they will not count as a “spouse” under the Plan, but you may designate them as your beneficiary using your Online Services account.
If you have a spouse, send OPTrust:
Your spouse’s proof of age. Copy of your spouse's birth certificate, driver's licence or passport
Note: If you are a deferred member without access to Online Services, you can submit your documents via our Contact Us page.
Through your Online Services account, send us a copy of your:
Marriage certificate and Statement of Marital Status (OPTrust 3007) form
Spouse’s birth certificate, driver's licence or passport
Notify OPTrust if you are changing your surname.
Update your beneficiaries through your Online Services account.
Note: If you are a deferred member without access to Online Services, you can submit your documents via our Contact Us page.
Through your Online Services account, send us a copy of your:
Marriage certificate and Statement of Marital Status (OPTrust 3007) form
Spouse’s birth certificate, driver's licence or passport
Notify OPTrust if you are changing your surname.
Update your beneficiaries through your Online Services account.
Note: If you are a deferred member without access to Online Services, you can submit your documents via our Contact Us page.
Statement of marital status
Complete this form and return it to OPTrust if you are a member of the OPSEU Pension Plan and your spousal status has changed.
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 outlining what happens 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 considerations related to Ontario’s Family Law Act and Pension Benefits Act and steps for valuing and dividing your pension from OPTrust.
How to update your spousal status
Through your Online Services account.
Send us a completed Statement of Marital Status (OPTrust 3007) form.
Note: If you are a deferred member without access to Online Services, you can submit your documents via our Contact Us page.
Family Law and Your Pension
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 Online Services
Any life changes – marriage, new spouse, separation, divorce, children, new beneficiaries
Changes to contact information – name, address, phone number, email address