UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR BENEFITS & PENSION
Support for You and Your Loved Ones in the Event of Death
Member Death
Important! Your spouse, dependent, or beneficiary should reach out to UA Local 67 Benefits as quickly as possible following your death to avoid coverage disruption or missed deadlines.
Planning for the unexpected is never easy, but it’s one of the most caring things you can do for your family. The UA Local 67 Benefits Plans include valuable benefits in the event of your death—before or after retirement. This section helps you understand who may be eligible for these benefits, how they are paid out, and what actions your loved ones may need to take.
Whether you’re naming a new beneficiary, appointing a trustee for a minor, or understanding the difference in options between pre-retirement and post-retirement scenarios, keeping your records accurate is essential to ensure your wishes are followed and your family is supported. Stay up-to-date on life and job changes and keep your beneficiaries current.
Refer to your Pension Plan Booklet for more details or contact us.
Member Death Before Retirement
Pension
- Your spouse who is living with you is the automatic beneficiary unless they have signed a Waiver of Pre-Retirement Death Benefit before your death.
- Your spouse will be able to choose to receive the pension immediately after your death or at a later date, or accept it as a one-time payment (transferred to RRSP, purchase an annuity, or lump-sum cash)
- If no spouse (or your spouse has signed the Waiver), your dependent children would receive the cash value of your pension. Remember to appoint a Trustee if your dependent child is a minor.
- If you have no spouse and no dependent children, any pre-retirement death benefits would be paid to your named beneficiary, or if there are no beneficiaries on file, to your estate.
- If you have a common-law spouse that you are living with, but are married to someone that you are not living with, you must name your common-law spouse as your beneficiary if you want them to receive the pre-retirement death benefits.
Health & Welfare
If you pass away while an active member, your spouse and children on your Health & Welfare Plan will remain covered until your Benefits Account falls below one month’s premium payment. Your spouse then has the option to continue coverage by paying the group benefit deduction rate for Survivors each month.
Keep in mind that Survivors are not permitted to change their coverage option at any time. Coverage will end if your spouse stops paying the premium, and they and any dependents cannot be reinstated once coverage has been terminated.
Member Death After Retirement
Pension
- The benefit depends on the pension option selected at retirement.
- Joint & Survivor options continue to pay pension benefits to your spouse or dependent children after your death.
- If you had no spouse at retirement, a death benefit will be paid to your beneficiary (or estate) if you chose the “10-year guarantee option” at retirement and die within the first 10 years.
Health & Welfare
If the covered member was a Retiree over age 65, their surviving spouse can continue the health benefits at the same group benefit deduction rate as the Retiree was paying.
Coverage will end if your spouse stops paying the premium. Survivors/Dependents cannot be reinstated once coverage has been terminated.
Spouse or Beneficiary Death
You must notify UA Local 67 Benefits in the event of a spouse or dependent’s death if they are covered under your Health or Dental plan, even though there is no life insurance for dependents. Please complete a new Welfare Enrollment/Change Form and return it to UA Local 67 Benefits. You have 90 days following the death of your beneficiary to submit any Health, Dental, or HCSA claims to GreenShield for reimbursement.
If applicable, you can update your beneficiary(ies) for your Pension by completing a new Pension Plan Enrollment/Change Form as well.
Review Death Benefit Options
Remember to keep your beneficiary up to date, and appoint a trustee for any minor children or incapacitated beneficiaries. Contact the UA Local 67 Benefits team for further information and support.