Life Changes

Getting married? Having a baby? Leaving your job at Western? Retiring? Life changes can affect your pension, benefits and other aspects of your relationship with Western. Here are some things you should know.

Retiring/Leaving Western

Getting Married

  • If you are changing your address you may make that change online in My Human Resources, or you may complete a Personal Data Form.
  • If you are changing your name, please download and complete a Personal Data Form and submit it to Human Resources using ASK HR. You will need to include copies of two pieces of identification to support the change, including one piece of photo identification.
  • Benefits: you may wish to add your new spouse to your benefits coverage. To do so, please complete the Benefit Application/Change form. Note: when adding/increasing life insurance, a medical questionnaire may be required if more than 31 days have passed since the first day of your eligibility or your spouse/dependent's eligibility for the insurance. You may wish to contact Human Resources for assistance in understanding your current coverage, and the options available to you.To review your benefits information visit the Benefits website and choose your employee group.

Divorce or Separation

  • If you are changing your address you may make that change online in My Human Resources, or you may complete a Personal Data Form.
  • If you are changing your name, please download and complete a Personal Data Form and mail or fax it to us at the address on the form.  You will need to include copies of two pieces of identification to support the change, including one piece of photo identification.
  • Benefits – you will be required to remove your spouse from your benefits if they no longer meet the definition of a spouse. See definition of spouse.  You may wish to add or increase life insurance coverage and/or change one or more of your beneficiaries.  Complete the Benefit Application/Change Form.  You may wish to contact Human Resources for assistance in understanding your current coverage, and the options available to you.  For further details on each of the benefits below visit the Benefits website and choose your employee group.
  • You may also wish to read information about pension and asset splitting on our pension page under the heading Marriage Breakdown and Your Pension.

Common Law Relationships

Your partner may qualify for coverage under your benefits. Please read your collective agreement or benefit booklet to determine if your partner qualifies as your spouse.

If they do qualify, read the considerations below under "Getting married?"

Your Pension Plan: you may wish to add your spouse as a beneficiary of your pension plan.You may change your beneficiary online at sunlife.ca/western. Sign in, go to my financial centre, select Quick Links, then Beneficiary info.

Birth or Adoption

NB: Please notify Human Resources within 31 days of the birth or adoption of your child.

  • You may add your child to your Extended Health and Dental plans using the Benefit Application/Change Form.
  • You may wish to purchase Dependent Life Insurance if you have not already done so.
  • You may wish to purchase Voluntary Personal Accident Insurance if you have not already done so.

Death of a Family Member

If you lose a spouse or dependent child, please contact Human Resources at 519-661-2194 for assistance in filing life or other insurance claims.

If your deceased family member was covered under your Western benefits plan, you may need to make changes to your benefits. Human Resources can assist you with those changes. The changes might include:

  • Remove coverage for your deceased family member
  • Increase or decrease life insurance
  • Change dependents for life insurance or for voluntary accident insurance

Changes to your pension plan may also be needed. Specifically, you may need to designate a new beneficiary.


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