Pensions and benefits for spouses, children and heirs
Consult all situations concerning a deceased person.
Pension plans
The deceased worked:
If the deceased worked in Québec, his or her spouse, children or heirs could receive one or more benefits paid under the Québec Pension Plan.
| Find out more and apply for benefits | Eligible person(s): |
| Find out about the death benefit | Person who paid for funeral expenses, heirs or liquidator |
| Find out about the surviving spouse's pension | Recognized spouse |
| Find out about the orphan's pension | Minor child whose parent has died |
| Find out about posthumous retirement pensions | Liquidator or heirs |
If the deceased worked in one of those sectors or in the Québec public sector, his or her spouse, children or heirs could receive one or more benefits paid under Québec public-sector pension plans.
| Find out more and apply for benefits | Eligible person(s): |
| Find out about survivors' benefits | Recognized spouse or heirs |
| Find out about life insurance | Heirs |
If the deceased worked in the private, municipal or university sectors and contributed to a supplemental pension plan (SPP), his or her eligible spouse or the successors (e.g.: the designated beneficiaries or the heirs) could be entitled to a death benefit under the pension plan.
| Find out more and apply for benefits | Eligible person(s): |
| Find out about death benefit | eligible spouse or successors |
If the deceased was an employee, a self-employed worker or a business owner and he or she contributed to a voluntary retirement savings plan (VRSP), his or her eligible spouse or the successors (e.g.: the designated beneficiary or the heirs) could be entitled to a death benefit under the pension plan.
| Find out more and apply for benefits | Eligible person(s): |
| Find out about death benefit | eligible spouse or successors |
Retirement savings
The deceased held:
If the deceased held a locked-in retirement account (LIRA) or a life income fund (LIF), the eligible spouse or the successors (e.g.: heirs) could be entitled to a death benefit.
| Find out more and apply for benefits | Eligible person(s): |
| Find out about death benefit | eligible spouse or successors (e.g.: heirs) |
Family situation
The deceased was:
Family Allowance payments could be made to the person who will be responsible for the child.
| Find out more and apply for benefits | Eligible person(s): |
| Find out about Family Allowance | Person responsible for a child |
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We understand that the death of a child is a deeply moving event. If your child died in Québec, the Directeur de l'état civil will inform us. No further action is required from you. If the death occurred outside Québec, we ask that you call us to inform us.
As of 1 July 2025, following the death of your minor child, we will extend the Family Allowance payments and, if applicable, the Supplement for Handicapped Children and the Supplement for Handicapped Children Requiring Exceptional Care for a period of 12 months following the month of death or, if the child was age 17, until he or she would have reached age 18.