The OPSEU Pension Trust is expanding the definition of an eligible dependent child so disabled dependent children may be entitled to survivor benefits.
Previously, a plan member’s children were only eligible for survivor benefits if they were younger than age 18, older than age 18 and attending secondary school full time or attending a post-secondary institution for up to five years immediately following secondary school.
Read: CAAT expanding definition of who qualifies to receive benefits
The order of entitlement for pre-retirement survivor benefits has also changed, with eligible children of all plan members now second in line — after a member’s spouse — to receive survivor benefits.
Prior to this change, when a plan member passed away before retirement, their eligible dependent children were second in line for survivor benefits only for pension service earned before 1987.
Read: OPTrust allowing plan members temporarily working part time to earn full pension service