Get married or move in together
Get married or move in together
Marriage or a new live-in partnership is an exciting milestone. It’s a good time to check in on how your pension and benefits can support your future together. Keep in mind that your pension is a family asset. Your spouse or common-law partner has automatic entitlements.
Defining a common-law partner
In Manitoba, married and common-law partners have the same rights when it comes to pensions. A common-law partner is:
- Someone who registered a common-law relationship under The Vital Statistics Act, or
- Someone who has lived with you in a conjugal relationship:
- For at least three years if either of you is married, or
- For at least one year if neither of you is married
Pension beneficiary
Before retirement
Your spouse or common-law partner is automatically your beneficiary of the pension death benefit unless they waive their rights. If you pass away and don’t have a spouse or common-law partner, death benefits would be paid to your estate unless you have a named beneficiary on file.
After retirement
Your spouse or common-law partner is entitled to two-thirds of your monthly pension unless they waive their rights.
Divorce or separation
If you divorce or separate, your spouse or common-law partner can claim up to 50% of the pension benefits earned during your time together. This includes time you lived together before marriage.
Insurance beneficiary
Unlike the pension, your insurance beneficiary is not automatically your spouse. If you have Group Life Insurance, contact your employer to update your beneficiary designation.
Online Services
We encourage you to add your spouse’s or partner’s name to your Online Services account. This lets you see different pension payment options when running pension estimates. With these options, you can plan for retirement together and explore how your pension can provide for your loved ones in the future.
Many life changes can affect your pension. Explore the different events below to learn more. Contact CSSB if you have questions.
Get married or move in together
Marriage or a new live-in partnership is an exciting milestone. It’s a good time to check in on how your pension and benefits can support your future together. Keep in mind that your pension is a family asset. Your spouse or common-law partner has automatic entitlements.
Defining a common-law partner
In Manitoba, married and common-law partners have the same rights when it comes to pensions. A common-law partner is:
- Someone who registered a common-law relationship under The Vital Statistics Act, or
- Someone who has lived with you in a conjugal relationship:
- For at least three years if either of you is married, or
- For at least one year if neither of you is married
Pension beneficiary
Before retirement
Your spouse or common-law partner is automatically your beneficiary of the pension death benefit unless they waive their rights. If you pass away and don’t have a spouse or common-law partner, death benefits would be paid to your estate unless you have a named beneficiary on file.
After retirement
Your spouse or common-law partner is entitled to two-thirds of your monthly pension unless they waive their rights.
Divorce or separation
If you divorce or separate, your spouse or common-law partner can claim up to 50% of the pension benefits earned during your time together. This includes time you lived together before marriage.
Insurance beneficiary
Unlike the pension, your insurance beneficiary is not automatically your spouse. If you have Group Life Insurance, contact your employer to update your beneficiary designation.
Online Services
We encourage you to add your spouse’s or partner’s name to your Online Services account. This lets you see different pension payment options when running pension estimates. With these options, you can plan for retirement together and explore how your pension can provide for your loved ones in the future.