As a HOOPP member, your pension provides you with the peace of mind of knowing you have a stable, predictable income in retirement. It also provides valuable survivor benefits that can help protect your loved ones, whether you pass away before or after you retire.

Your HOOPP pension should be considered as part of your overall estate plan, which helps to ensure that your wishes are carried out as intended when you pass away and alleviate some of the stress on those you leave behind. Here is what you and your survivors need to know.

When a member passes away

Important information for spouses, executors and beneficiaries in the event that a member passes away.

HOOPP and your estate plan

When preparing your estate plan, it is important to inform the person who is responsible for managing your estate, such as an executor or estate trustee, that you have a HOOPP pension and to notify HOOPP immediately when you pass away. Doing this is important because it will help prevent overpayments if you are collecting a monthly pension from HOOPP.

Once we have been notified, we will reach out to the estate trustee or spouse to request information to assist in administering any survivor benefits that may be payable. We will also request proof of death, such as a death certificate or funeral director's certificate. Once we receive this information, we will review it to determine if there are any survivor benefits to be paid and if so, our Member Services team will contact any eligible recipients.

Visit the Expert Corner to learn more about what you should consider when preparing your estate plan and gain other insights from financial experts to help you secure your financial future. Read more articles on this topic.