Marriage breakdown
On January 1, 2012 family law and pension legislation changes came into effect for the treatment of pensions upon the breakdown of a marriage or other spousal relationship.
The new rules, which apply to new cases as well as past cases without a pre-2012 legal agreement covering the division of pension, brought these key changes:
- The Plan is required to calculate the Family Law Value of a member’s pension accrued during the relationship, using prescribed formulae, and provide this to both the member and their spouse/former spouse.
- Immediate settlement of benefits to a former spouse where they and the member agree or are required to divide the member’s pension.
Members, their spouses and the Plan are required to use several detailed forms created by the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO) throughout the process of applying for a valuation through to instructing the Plan on their decision about the division of pension.
Refer the member to the pamphlet “Your pension and separation or divorce” on our website or provide a printed copy.
Forms
Change of information or beneficiary PDF DOC
Resources for members
Pamphlets