Divorce or separation
The following information is designed to help you understand your pay- and benefits-related options and responsibilities when you separate from your common-law partner or divorce your spouse.
On this page
- Common-law status
- Notifying the Pension Centre of a marital-status change
- Updating your pay profile
- Effects on benefits
Common-law status
You have common-law status when you cohabitate in a conjugal relationship with a person for a continuous period.
Notifying the Pension Centre of a marital-status change
If you divorce or separate from a common-law relationship, you must notify the Pension Centre and provide them with the applicable documentation.
The process to follow can be found on the Pension and benefits website.
Updating your pay profile
When you separate or divorce, you may also change your name, your address, your beneficiary or financial institution. Update your pay profile accordingly to ensure your pay is accurate and that it continues uninterrupted.
Changing your information in PeopleSoft
You are responsible for updating your profile in PeopleSoft if your marital status changes. If applicable, change your:
- name
- address
- next of kin
Name changes
Name changes will be reflected in Phoenix, so you can expect to see the change on your pay stub.
Address changes
If you change your province of residence, complete the applicable tax forms. Send the completed tax forms to the Pay Centre under cover of a pay action request form.
Changing your direct deposit information
To change your direct deposit information, use Phoenix self-service. If you do not have access to Phoenix, send a completed direct deposit enrolment request (accessible only on the Government of Canada network) to the Pay Centre under cover of a pay action request form.
When completing the pay action request form:
- under Section 2: Work Type, select Direct Deposit: exception
- under Section 3: Sub Type, select Direct Deposit: exception
Important
If you redirect your pay to a different financial institution, do not close your current bank account until you have verified that your pay has been deposited into your new account.
Effects on benefits
Review your current coverage under your insurance plans and make any necessary changes as required. The Pension and benefits site contains information about the effects of your divorce or separation on your insurance and pension benefits.
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