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When an OMERS member dies after retirement...

OMERS Client Services needs to be notified of the member's death as soon as possible to start the survivor benefit process.

We will need to know:

  • the deceased member's name
  • the OMERS reference number or social insurance number
  • the date of death.

When a retired OMERS member dies after their OMERS pension has started, benefits are payable in this order of entitlement:

Relationship to the deceased member
Type of benefit

1. The member's eligible spouse or partner is first in line for a survivor pension.
  • Survivor pension of 66 2/3% of the lifetime pension the member was receiving at date of death.
  • Plus: a further 10% of the member's pension for each eligible child up to a total of 100% of the member's pension (paid to whoever has legal custody of the children).
  • This pension:
    • is indexed to inflation;
    • is guaranteed for life; it does not stop if the surviving spouse remarries;
    • does not include the OMERS bridge benefit.
2. If there is no eligible spouse, a pension will be paid to any eligible children for as long as they are eligible.

The children's pension is equal to the greater of:

  • 66 2/3% of the lifetime pension the member was receiving at the date of death; or
  • the survivor's pension the spouse was receiving at their date of death (less any entitlement for eligible children).
  • This pension:
    • is divided equally among the eligible children and is paid to, or on behalf of each child. When a child is no longer eligible, the pension is redistributed among the remaining eligible children;
    • is indexed to inflation;
    • does not include the OMERS bridge benefit.
3. If there are no survivors, the member's named beneficiary may be entitled to a residual refund.

The residual refund is the total of the member's OMERS contributions with interest, minus any pension paid to the member or their survivors.

  • OMERS needs to have the beneficiary's name(s) on file. A survivor cannot change the beneficiary that the original member designates.

Note: after five years of retirement, most members have received pension payments equal to their contributions plus interest, so there probably would be no refund.

4. If there is no beneficiary on file, a residual refund may be paid to the member's estate.

Note: the member's will does not direct the OMERS order of entitlement; it directs the settlement of the estate.

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