If you die before you retire, your beneficiary(ies) will receive a pre-retirement survivor (death) benefit.

When you have a spouse

Your spouse is automatically your beneficiary if you are married or in a common-law relationship of more than two years.

The exception to this is if your spouse gives up their beneficiary right to a pre-retirement survivor (death) benefit. To do this, they must submit Form 4 Spouse’s waiver of beneficiary right to benefits in a pension plan, locked-in retirement account, life income fund or annuity before pension or annuity payments start with your Nomination of beneficiary (pre-retirement) form.

When you do not have a spouse or your spouse has waived their beneficiary right

If you do not have a spouse or your spouse has given up their beneficiary right to a pre-retirement survivor benefit, you can name one or more beneficiaries other than your spouse to receive this benefit.

In this situation, you can name a beneficiary or beneficiaries by:

• Signing in to My Account to use the online beneficiary update tool (if your spouse has waived their right, you can access My Account once we have the waiver form on file)
• Using the online Nomination of beneficiary (pre-retirement) form submission process
• Submitting the Nomination of beneficiary (pre-retirement) form to BC's College Pension Plan through Message Centre, mail or fax

Naming a beneficiary online through My Account or submitting the Nomination of beneficiary (pre-retirement) form also allows you to:

• Name an alternate beneficiary(ies) if your spouse dies before you
• Name your beneficiaries (and their alternates) if you do not have a spouse or your spouse has given up their rights to a pre-retirement survivor (death) benefit

Follow these same steps to change your beneficiary(ies).

Naming a beneficiary online or submitting the Nomination of beneficiary (pre-retirement) form will replace and revoke any previous beneficiary(ies) you have named.

Note: if you are divorced or separated, all beneficiary nominations must comply with any separation agreements or court orders.