Life changes

Changes in your family

Making changes to your beneficiaries

Your eligibility to change your beneficiary depends on the option you chose at retirement.

• How to change your beneficiary after retirement: Find out if you are eligible to change your beneficiary after you retire—and what you need to do.

Adding new family members to your health coverage

You may be able to add your spouse or eligible dependant to your extended health and dental care.

• Retirement health coverage: Find out what your options are for adding your spouse or eligible dependant to coverage.

Separation or divorce

If you separate or divorce after you start receiving your pension, you can’t change your pension option. In some cases, this may mean that your former spouse continues as your beneficiary. Talk to a lawyer for help understanding your situation.

• Ending a relationship - and what it means for your pension: Learn how separation or divorce could affect your retirement.
• Change your beneficiary after retirement: Find out if you are eligible to change your beneficiary after separation or divorce.

Managing the death of a beneficiary or spouse

Contact us if your spouse passes away and we’ll walk you through the next steps. If another beneficiary passes away, please update your beneficiary information in My Account.

• Tell us if your spouse dies: Find out what you need to do after the death of your spouse.
• Tell us if a beneficiary dies: Find out what you need to do after the death of your beneficiary.
• Change your beneficiary after retirement: Find out if you are eligible to name a new beneficiary after the death of your spouse or beneficiary.

Moving

Update your address in My Account

If you’re moving within your current province or country, you can update your address using My Account. If you are moving to another province or country, please contact us through the Message Centre in My Account.

Change your direct deposit to an international account

If you’re moving outside Canada, you can update your direct deposit to go to your U.S. or international bank account.

• Managing your banking information: Find out how to sign up for direct deposit to a U.S. or international bank account.

How moving affects your income taxes

Each province and country has its own tax rate. Keep your address up to date with the plan to ensure you’re paying the right amount of tax for your situation.

• Tax information for retired members: Learn more about how income tax affects your pension.

How moving outside Canada affects your extended health and dental coverage

The extended health care and dental plans don’t offer out-of-country coverage. If you are moving outside Canada, contact us to cancel your coverage.

• Cancel your retirement health coverage: Find out how to cancel your coverage if you are moving out of the country.

Returning to work

If your new employer is part of the plan, let them know you are a retired member. You will continue receiving your pension and will not make new contributions.

If your new employer is part of a different pension plan, you may be eligible to enrol in that plan.

• Returning to work after retirement: Learn the basics about work after retirement.
• Working after retirement: what you need to know: Take an in-depth look at what happens if you go back to work after your pension starts.

• Resources for mature workers: Take advantage of WorkBC programs and resources for workers 55 years and older.

Planning for your final years

You can authorize someone to manage your pension on your behalf should you no longer be able to. You can do this using documents like a power of attorney. Contact the plan for more information.

• Substitute decision-making and incapacity planning: Access information from the Government of BC about creating a power of attorney.