Death

Priority of Beneficiaries

The Plan provides a benefit if you die before your pension begins. A death benefit is paid to your:

Spouse/Pension Partner,
dependent minor children if you have no Spouse,
named beneficiary(ies) if you have no Spouse or dependent minor children, otherwise
estate.

Before Entitled to Pension

If you die before you have enough Pensionable Service to be eligible for a pension, your beneficiary (as determined by the priority list above) will receive your contributions with interest, plus the value of any actuarial purchase of Pensionable Service.

After Entitled to Pension

If you die after you have enough Pensionable Service to be eligible for a pension, your surviving Spouse/Pension Partner will receive a pension equal to the amount he or she would have received if you had elected a Joint Equal Pension Option with 100% continuing to your Spouse/Pension Partner for life (reduced if necessary to comply with tax rule maximums). (See Choosing Your Pension Option for more information.) This pension is paid from the first of the month following:

death if you die under contract or within two months of terminating your contract
what would have been your 55th birthday if you die while not under contract and after two months of terminating your contract
what would have been the first eligible date of your pension if you die after age 55 while not under contract.

If you have no Spouse/Pension Partner but you have dependent minor children (under 18 years of age at the date of your death and who were dependent on you for support), your dependent minor children will receive:

double your contributions with interest plus
the value of any actuarial purchases of Pensionable Service.

If you have no Spouse/Pension Partner or dependent minor children, your designated beneficiary or estate will receive:

your contributions with interest plus
the value of any actuarial purchases of Pensionable Service.

Plan Provisions - If You Die After Your Pension

If you die after your pension begins, the benefit will be determined by the Pension Option you elected at retirement.

See Choosing Your Pension Option for more information.