Canadian Armed Forces pensions
Newly retired (Retired member): Reservists in the Regular Force pension plan
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.
On this page
- Defined benefit pension plan
- Qualifying for a pension at release
- The type of benefit I receive upon release and the method used to calculate my pension
- Outstanding payment for prior service at retirement
- Monthly pension payment method
- Expected timing of first pension payment
- Key considerations when choosing between a deferred pension and a transfer value
- What is a bridge benefit
- Canadian Forces Superannuation Act pension at age 65
- No need to notify the Pension Centre at age 65 to stop additional payments
- Entitlement to Canada pension plan or Québec pension plan disability benefits
- Effect of receiving Canada pension plan or Québec pension plan disability benefits on pension indexing
- Impact on the Canadian Armed Forces pension when Canada Pension Plan or Québec Pension Plan benefits are received before age 65
- Pension reduction for early retirement
- Pension estimate upon release
- Pension is protected from inflation
- Starting employment with the Federal Public Service or the Royal Canadian Mounted Police after release from the Canadian Armed Forces
- Supplementary death benefit plan coverage upon joining the federal public service
- Transferring pension credits to other employers
- Managing pension affairs with a power of attorney
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.
Qualifying for a pension at release
Visit the Active Member page, select on the audience specific to your plan, and select the "Release" life event.
The type of benefit I receive upon release and the method used to calculate my pension
Visit the Active Member page, select on the audience specific to your plan, and select the "Release" life event.
Outstanding payment for prior service at retirement
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.
Monthly pension payment method
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 Canadian Armed Forces Pension Centre.
Expected timing of first pension payment
The Canadian Armed Forces 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.
Key considerations when choosing between a deferred pension and a transfer value
Visit the Active Member page, select on the audience specific to your plan, and select the "Release" life event.
What is a bridge benefit
Visit the Bridge benefit page.
Canadian Forces Superannuation Act pension at age 65
Visit the Bridge benefit page.
No need to notify the Pension Centre at age 65 to stop additional payments
Visit the Bridge benefit page.
Entitlement to Canada pension plan or Québec pension plan disability benefits
Visit the Active Member page, select on the audience specific to your plan, and select the "Disability" life event.
Effect of receiving Canada pension plan or Québec pension plan disability benefits on pension indexing
Visit the indexing page for more information.
Impact on the Canadian Armed Forces pension when Canada Pension Plan or Québec Pension Plan benefits are received 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.
Pension reduction for early retirement
Visit the Active Member page, select on the audience specific to your plan, and select the "Release" life event.
Pension estimate upon release
Visit the Active Member page, select on the audience specific to your plan, and select the "Release" life event.
Pension is protected from inflation
Visit the Indexing page.
Starting employment with the Federal Public Service or the Royal Canadian Mounted Police after 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.
Supplementary death benefit plan coverage upon joining 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 Canadian Armed Forces 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 Canadian Armed Forces Pension Centre to resume your participation in the SDB plan under the CFSA.
Transferring pension credits to other employers
Visit the Active Member page, select on the audience specific to your plan, and select the "Release" life event.
Managing pension affairs with a power of attorney
Visit the Active Member page, select on the audience specific to your plan, and select the "Preparing for retirement" life event.