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HOOPP
Members Life Changes Planning for Loved Ones When a Member Passes Away

When a HOOPP member passes away

Survivor benefits are a key feature of the Plan and can help provide financial support for members’ loved ones when they pass away. If you are the qualifying spouse of a late HOOPP member, you are automatically entitled to survivor benefits (unless you’ve previously waived your entitlement). If you are a beneficiary, you may be entitled to survivor benefits.

We understand that when managing the affairs of someone that has passed away, you will need support and easy access to information. Rest assured, our pension experts are here to work with you to ensure you have the assistance you need.

To help make things easier, we’ve outlined what you should do when a HOOPP member passes away. This includes members who pass away before or after retirement, as well as spouses or beneficiaries who are collecting a monthly pension.

Notify HOOPP

Whether you’re an executor, spouse, beneficiary, relative or friend, it is very important to notify us of the member’s passing as soon as possible. Doing this will help prevent overpayments if the member, spouse or beneficiary was collecting a monthly pension from HOOPP.

When you contact us, we may ask for the name and contact information of the estate trustee, spouse or next of kin.

Once HOOPP has been notified

We will reach out to the estate 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.

Pension overpayments

When a member, spouse or beneficiary receiving a monthly pension passes away, the last pension payment they are entitled to is for the month in which they pass. If pension payments continue after they pass away, an overpayment would be owed to HOOPP by their estate.

Learn more about HOOPP survivor benefits, including the options available and eligibility.

Note about tax slips

We will send any remaining tax slips to the estate trustee to report any pension income received in the year a member, spouse or beneficiary passed away. The estate trustee should reference this information when preparing the relevant tax returns, and they should consult a tax professional for any questions regarding estate taxation.

FAQs

View all FAQs

What survivor benefits can my spouse receive if I pass away before I retire?

If you pass away before your pension begins, your qualifying spouse is entitled to receive a survivor benefit. Your spouse can choose to receive these benefits as a monthly lifetime pension or a lump-sum payment representing the commuted value of your pension.

Learn more about HOOPP's survivor benefits if you pass away before retirement.

What if I pass away before receiving my pension?

If you pass away before retirement without a qualifying spouse, or if spousal benefits have been waived, the person(s), or organization you name as your designated beneficiary will receive a lump-sum cash amount representing the value of your pension benefit. This amount is taxable income in the year in which it is paid and is subject to mandatory withholding tax. 

If you do not have a designated beneficiary, a lump-sum cash amount representing the value of your pension benefit will be paid to your estate. This amount is taxable. 

This document provides a simplified overview of HOOPP's benefits based on the terms of the HOOPP Plan Text at the time of publication. From time to time, HOOPP may amend the HOOPP Plan Text. In cases where the information provided in this document differs from that contained in the HOOPP Plan Text, the HOOPP Plan Text will govern. More details, including the full HOOPP Plan Text and a complete description of the Plan and its benefits, can be found on hoopp.com.