Canadian Armed Forces pensions
Disability (Active member): Reservists in the Regular Force pension plan
The following information will help you understand your options in the event that you become disabled or suffer from a long-term illness.
On this page
- Understand the pension benefits available if you release from the Canadian Armed Forces due to disability
- Pension benefits available if you release from the Canadian Armed Forces due to disability
- What to do with your pension if you qualify for Canada Pension Plan or Quebec Pension Plan disability benefits
- Managing pension affairs with a general Power of Attorney
Understand the pension benefits available if you release from the Canadian Armed Forces due to disability
The following table tells you what pension benefits you receive if you are disabled when you release:
| The following apply to: |
|
|---|---|
| If you are disabled when you release… | You receive… |
| and have 10 or more years of pensionable service | an immediate unreduced pension, based on the pension formula that uses your pensionable service up to the date you released |
| and have fewer than 10 years of pensionable service |
the same pension benefit as if you released without a disability or if you are entitled to a disability pension from the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) or Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) and have 2 or more years of pensionable service, you receive an immediate unreduced pension, based on the pension formula that uses your pensionable service up to the date you released |
| For: | Reservists in the Reserve Force Pension Plan |
| and have 2 or more years of pensionable service | an immediate unreduced pension, based on the pension formula that uses your pensionable earnings up to the date you released |
| and have fewer than 2 years of pensionable service | your contributions, plus interest, up to the date you released |
There are other benefits and services, in addition to your pension benefits, to assist you if you become disabled while serving. Contact Veterans Affairs Canada for more information.
Pension benefits available if you release from the Canadian Armed Forces due to disability
If you are entitled to a deferred pension, or are receiving a reduced pension, and you become eligible for a Canada Pension Plan (CPP) or Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) disability pension, you are eligible to receive an unreduced pension equal to the pension you had accumulated at the date you released. The unreduced pension is payable while you are disabled
If you are receiving a pension and are under age 65, the bridge benefit is no longer payable once you become entitled to a CPP or QPP disability pension. If you continue to receive a bridge benefit, you will eventually have to pay it back
Your pension is indexed immediately, when you become entitled to a CPP or QPP disability pension
It is your responsibility to inform the Canadian Armed Forces Pension Centre if you become eligible for a CPP or QPP disability pension.
What to do with your pension if you qualify for Canada Pension Plan or Quebec Pension Plan disability benefits
Visit the Insurance benefits page to find out what plans you may be eligible to participate in.
Managing pension affairs with a general Power of Attorney
If you wish for another person to manage some of your pension affairs, an original, notarized, or a certified true copy of the general power of attorney (POA) document bearing the original signature of the lawyer, notary, commissioner of oaths or justice of the peace must be sent to the Canadian Armed Forces Pension Centre. The person you name can then request address changes, direct deposit and choose a benefit on your behalf. However, a POA does not provide that person with the authority to change the recipient of a pension benefit or to change a beneficiary under the Supplementary Death Benefit (SDB) plan.
In order to protect plan members, the Canadian Armed Forces Pension Centre cannot accept photocopies, faxes or scans of legal documents. Original POA documents will be returned to you by mail.
If you simply wish to allow someone to make enquiries and receive information about your pension matters, but not make decisions on your behalf, you can provide the Canadian Armed Forces Pension Centre with a written consent to that effect.