Your surviving spouse is automatically your beneficiary for all the benefits you earned under the plan, whether you die before or during retirement.
However, you may designate someone else, if your spouse waives his or her right to benefits, in writing. Your spouse may revoke this waiver at any time before pension payments begin or prior to your death if pension payments have not yet begun. In addition, a waiver does not take away your spouse's right to a potential division of the accumulated amounts in the event of a separation or divorce.
You may designate anyone you wish as the beneficiary for survivor benefits in the event of your death before or during retirement.
If there is no valid beneficiary, your estate will receive the survivor benefits, if any.
You may change your beneficiary anytime before you retire, except where prohibited by law.
To do so, simply complete the beneficiary designation form and submit it to Benefits Services.
