Newly retired—Retired member—Canadian Armed Forces pensions
When you retire from the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), you may still have some questions regarding your pension benefits. Detailed responses to the frequently asked questions listed below can be found by following the links to the sections dealing with each subject.
You may want to know
What is a defined benefit pension plan?
Both the Regular Force Pension Plan and the Reserve Force Pension Plan are defined benefit pension plans. This means that your pension from the plan is defined by set formulas.
How do I qualify for a pension at release?
Visit the Active Member page, click on the audience specific to your plan, and select the "Release" life event.
What type of benefit do I receive when I release and how is my pension calculated?
Visit the Active Member page, click on the audience specific to your plan, and select the "Release" life event.
What happens if I have not finished paying for a period of prior service when I retire?
If you retire and start receiving a pension before having paid the full amount owing for your prior service, your pension will be calculated to include your elected service and your instalments will continue to be deducted from your monthly pension benefit.
How will I receive my monthly pension payments?
Your monthly pension payments are paid to you through direct deposit to your bank account. The Direct Deposit Form (PWGSC-TPSGC 8438) is sent to you as part of your retirement package upon retirement, which asks for your banking information. If you have not already done so, or if you wish to change your banking information at any time, please complete the Direct Deposit Form and send it to the Government of Canada Pension Centre.
When can I expect to receive my first pension payment?
The Government of Canada Pension Centre normally issues your first pension payment by direct deposit within 45 calendar days after the date of retirement, provided that all of your documents have been received by the Pension Centre.
What are some of the things to consider when choosing between a deferred pension and a transfer value?
Visit the Active Member page, click on the audience specific to your plan, and select the "Release" life event.
What is the bridge benefit?
Visit the Bridge benefit page.
What happens to the Canadian Forces Superannuation Act pension when I turn 65?
Visit the Bridge benefit page.
Once I reach age 65, do I need to inform someone at the Pension Centre to stop giving me more money?
Visit the Bridge benefit page.
What do I have to do if I become entitled to a disability pension from the Canada Pension Plan or Quebec Pension Plan?
Visit the Active Member page, click on the audience specific to your plan, and select the "Disability" life event.
If I start to receive a Canada Pension Plan or Quebec Pension Plan disability pension, will it affect my pension's indexing?
Visit the indexing page for more information.
What happens to my Canadian Armed Forces pension if I choose to receive Canada Pension Plan/Québec Pension Plan benefits before age 65?
Visit the Bridge benefit page.
If you begin to receive Canada Pension Plan (CPP)/Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) disability benefits before age 65, refer to the Disability life event.
Why is my pension reduced if I take it early?
Visit the Active Member page, click on the audience specific to your plan, and select the "Release" life event.
Can I get an estimate of what my pension will be if I release?
Visit the Active Member page, click on the audience specific to your plan, and select the "Release" life event.
Do Canadian Armed Forces pensions keep up with inflation?
Visit the Indexing page.
What if I start working for the Federal Public Service or the Royal Canadian Mounted Police when I release from the Canadian Armed Forces?
Contact your new employer's Human Resources administrator to find out if you are eligible to have your pensionable service in the CAF recognized under the Public Service or Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) pension plan.
What happens to my Supplementary Death Benefit plan coverage if I join the Federal Public Service?
If you elected to continue to participate in the Supplementary Death Benefit (SDB) plan when you released from the Regular Force and you go to work for the Federal Public Service, you will be required to contribute to the SDB plan under the Public Service Superannuation Act (PSSA) based on your Public Service salary. You cannot participate in both plans at the same time, therefore, you should contact the Government of Canada Pension Centre as soon as you start working in the Public Service to ensure that you stop contributing to the SDB plan under the Canadian Forces Superannuation Act (CFSA).
Should you become entitled to an immediate annuity under the PSSA, your SDB coverage will remain with the Federal Public Service.
Should you cease employment with the Federal Public Service and not be entitled to an immediate annuity, you may wish to contact the Government of Canada Pension Centre to resume your participation in the SDB plan under the CFSA.
Can I transfer my pension credits to an employer other than the Federal Public Service or the Royal Canadian Mounted Police?
Visit the Active Member page, click on the audience specific to your plan, and select the "Release" life event.
If I have granted someone a general Power of Attorney, can that person manage my pension affairs?
Visit the Active Member page, click on the audience specific to your plan, and select the "Preparing for retirement" life event.