Death in retirement: Retired members: Royal Canadian Mounted Police pension
In the event of your death, your survivor or legal representative should immediately notify the Government of Canada Pension Centre. The following questions and answers will provide you with additional information about potential survivor and child entitlements under the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Pension Plan.
You may want to know…
Are your family members protected in the event of your death?
Your pension plan offers several types of protection for your family. For instance, your eligible survivors and eligible children may be entitled to survivor benefits and child allowances. For additional information contact the Government of Canada Pension Centre.
Who is able to claim survivor benefits?
Survivor benefits are payable to a surviving spouse and/or common-law partner. Please contact the Government of Canada Pension Centre for more information.
What documentation is required to make a claim for survivor benefits?
A copy of the marriage certificate is required to support a claim by the legal spouse. For a common-law (same or opposite sex) partner, the application must include sworn statements and other evidence that demonstrates the conjugal nature and the period of the relationship. Please contact the Government of Canada Pension Centre for more information.
Are there children's allowances payable?
To be eligible for benefits under the RCMP Pension Plan, your child must normally be under 18 years of age. However, children between 18 and 25 may receive allowances if they're enrolled full-time in school or another educational institution and have attended continuously since their 18th birthday or the date of your death, whichever occurred later.
A child's allowance is equal to one-fifth of the survivor benefit to a maximum combined amount of four-fifths for all dependent children. If there are more than four children, the maximum combined amount payable may be divided among all the eligible children.
What is payable to the children if there is no survivor benefit?
When there is no survivor benefit payable to a spouse or common-law partner, the child's allowance is equal to twice the standard amount or two-fifths of the survivor benefit.
If there are no eligible survivors, are there any benefits payable?
Yes. Under the RCMP Pension Plan, there's a minimum benefit guarantee that's paid to the eligible survivors or to the estate of the deceased. For more information, refer to minimum benefit.
Should you inform the Government of Canada Pension Centre if the person you've named as your beneficiary moves?
Yes. In the event of your death, if the Government of Canada Pension Centre has a current address for your beneficiary, the benefit can be paid more quickly.
When you contact the Government of Canada Pension Centre, please have the following information available:
- Pension number
- Name of beneficiary
- Your beneficiary's new address
Are your survivors covered under any group benefit plans in the event of your death?
Your survivors may be eligible to enroll for coverage under the Public Service Health Care Plan (PSHCP) and the Pensioners' Dental Services Plan in the event of your death.
Do any of your group benefit plans continue for your family?
Public Service Health Care Plan (PSHCP) coverage doesn't automatically continue for a survivor. An individual who's receiving a survivor or children's pension benefit must apply and be approved for PSHCP coverage to receive health benefits. Plan and enrolment information can be found on the Public Service Health Care Plan website.
An application must also be made for dental coverage under the Pensioners' Dental Services Plan (PDSP), in order to obtain this benefit. Plan and enrolment information can be found on the Pensioners' Dental Services Plan website.
What benefits are available if your death can be attributed to your service with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police?
If your death is a result of your service with the RCMP, your spouse or eligible children may be entitled to benefits under the Pension Act .
The Pension Act is administered by Veterans Affairs Canada and provides a tax-free benefit to the spouse and children of RCMP members in the case of a duty-related death. Your survivors should contact Veterans Affairs Canada to find out if they qualify for a benefit under the Pension Act.