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      The PSSP provides retirement benefits to individuals who work in a Nova Scotia government department or at a participating municipality, university, agency, board, or commission.

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  1. Home
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  5. Spousal Relationship Changes

Spousal Relationship Changes

A change in your spousal relationship may affect who receives benefits in the event of your death.

A spousal relationship change includes:

Entering a new spousal relationship*

  • Getting married
  • Becoming common-law
  • Becoming a registered domestic partner

Ending a spousal relationship

  • Separation**
  • Divorce
  • End of domestic partnership

If divorce occurs, the division of your pension benefit is not automatic. To complete a division of your pension benefit, you must provide a copy of the court order from the Supreme Court.

An example of a Spousal Relationship Change Court Order.

 

Important Facts:

  • Your former spouse, common-law partner, or domestic partner may be entitled to receive up to one half of the pension benefit earned during the period of marriage.
  • The period of marriage must be defined in the court order. It begins at the date of marriage, domestic partnership, or cohabitation, and ends at the date of separation.
  • The payment to your ex spouse will not be retroactive but will be paid on a go-forward basis and included in the payroll cycle following receipt of the court order.
  • If you are married, it is important to note that a legal separation is not sufficient to split pension assets, this can only be initiated upon divorce.

 

In the event of a pension division:

If we receive the court order after retirement, your ex-spouse may receive their share of the pension benefit earned during the period of marriage as a monthly pension.

 

If you have had a Spousal Relationship change, if is important to notify us:

  • For active members, please complete a Member Information Form and return it to our office.
  • For retired members:
    • If you retired prior to April 1, 2024, please complete a Member Information Form.
    • If you are a retiree, or a survivor of a retiree, who retired on or after April 1, 2024, please contact our office.

 

*For members who retired prior to April 1, 2024; if you enter a new spousal relationship after retirement, you must be in that relationship a minimum of 3 consecutive years prior to your date of death for that spouse to qualify for a survivor benefit.

*For members who retired on or after April 1, 2024: If you enter a new spousal relationship after retirement, your new spouse does not qualify for a survivor benefit.

** In the case of separation, your separated spouse would still be considered your spouse and would be eligible to receive a survivor pension in the event of your death.

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My Retirement Plan

My Retirement Plan offers active plan members (not available to retirees) secure access to their personalized pension information online. Members can:

  • View their Annual Member Statement;
  • Use the Pension Projection Tool; and
  • View helpful retirement and financial planning resources.

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