First steps to take in the event of a separation
What is
Retraite Québec's role with citizens going through a separation?
Retraite Québec is a partner of your financial security.We are liable for the administration or the supervision of the following pension plans:
- the Québec Pension Plan (QPP), mandatory public plan
- public-sector pension plans (RREGOP,
PPMP, etc.)
- pension plans in the private, municipal and university sectors.
Partition of retirement pension plans can be carried out between former spouses following a separation.
Retraite Québec administers the Québec Family Allowance.We are liable for the administration and the payment of the following benefits:
- Family Allowance
- the Supplement for the Purchase of School Supplies
- the Supplement for Handicapped Children
- the Supplement for Handicapped Children Requiring Exceptional Care.
Parents must find out about the steps to take following a separation.
Steps to take with
Retraite Québec
Family Allowance payments are made by
Retraite Québec to provide assistance to families with a dependent child or children under age 18. The measure includes the Family Allowance payment, the Supplement for the Purchase of School Supplies, the Supplement for Handicapped Children and the Supplement for Handicapped Children Requiring Exceptional Care.
Following a separation, you must take steps in order to update your personal file. This step makes it possible to offer each eligible parent his or her portion of the Family Allowance payment, but also to avoid a parent from having to repay overpayments following a change in the family situation.
The Family Allowance amount
The amount of Family Allowance varies from one family to another.
It is calculated based on the following:
- the number of children under age 18 who are living with you
- the number of children in shared custody or in sole custody
- the conjugal status (with or without a spouse)
- the family income, which is calculated based on one of the following situations:
- combined income of the 2 parents who form a couple
- combined income of the 2 spouses who form a blended family
- the parent's personal income in the case of a single‑parent family.
Are you eligible?
Estimate your percentage of custody time
The child lives with you
Your percentage of custody time is
Note that the result remains an estimate. Please refer to a family mediation service or legal representative if necessary.
Select your current situation to find out which steps to take:
Sole custody
You have custody more than 60% of the time
-
You maintain your eligibility for Family Allowance
The amount of your payments will be recalculated based on your personal income as a single‑parent family. You can obtain an estimate of that amount using the
CalculAide tool. - You do not have to take any steps to inform us that you have sole custody of your child.
- Wait 90 days after the decision to separate to update your conjugal situation directly in
My Account (authentication using clicSEQUR) or via the
web form (authentication using your Social Insurance Number).
Shared custody
You have custody between 40% and 60% of the time
-
You maintain your eligibility for Family Allowance.
The amount of your payments will be recalculated based on your personal income as a single‑parent family. You can obtain an estimate of that amount using the
CalculAide tool. -
You must
inform us by telephone of the date on which shared custody begins.
- Wait 90 days after the decision to separate to update your conjugal situation directly in
My Account (authentication using clicSEQUR) or via the
web form (authentication using your Social Insurance Number).
Reduced custody
You have custody less than 40% of the time
-
You are no longer eligible for Family Allowance.
An eligible parent must have custody of the child more than 40% of the time in order to receive his or her portion of Family Allowance payments. -
You must
inform us by telephone as soon as possible to avoid having to repay overpayments following a change in your family situation.
Sole custody
You have custody more than 60% of the time
Shared custody
You have custody between 40% and 60% of the time
Reduced custody
You have custody less than 40% of the time
-
You are not eligible for Family Allowance.
An eligible parent must have custody of the child more than 40% of the time in order to receive his or her portion of Family Allowance payments.
Following a separation, the earnings recorded under the Québec Pension Plan, as well as the amounts accrued under a pension plan by either spouse or both, during the union, could be subject to partition.
Three types of pension plans
Name of the plan
Description
Who to contact
Québec Pension Plan
DescriptionQuébec's public and mandatory plan
Who to contactRetraite Québec
Public-sector pension plans
DescriptionPension plans for employees in the Québec health and social services sector, the education sector and the public service sector (RREGOP,
PPMP, etc.)
Who to contactRetraite Québec
Pension plans of the private, municipal and university sectors
DescriptionSupplemental pension plans offered by the employer
Who to contactPlan administrator
The three steps for partition of the benefits accrued under a pension plan
Request an assessment
You can request, free of charge and at any time, an assessment for partition of the benefits accrued under a pension plan, in the event of a separation.
A person thinking about renouncing partition should take this step, which allows him or her to make an informed decision.
Request for partition to be carried out
You can officially request for partition of the benefits accrued under a pension plan to be carried out if you are separating.
The type of union will determine the steps to take.
Please select your type of union in the following table.
Receive a confirmation by mail
Once the process has been completed, you will receive a written confirmation from the pension plan administrator.
Each person concerned by the partition process will receive a detailed and personalized letter.
Types of unions and the steps to take
You were married or in a civil union
You were in a de facto union
You were married or in a civil union
Civil union and marriage (civil or religious) are solemn acts for which two people publicly express their free and informed consent to live together and to respect the obligations and rights associated with this civil status.
Unlike marriage, a civil union is only valid in Quebec. The civil union was created in 2002, to allow the union of same-sex spouses. It still exists, although marriage has been possible for same-sex couples since 2005.
You were in a de facto union
A de facto union exists when a couple lives together and whether or not they start a family.
Therefore, these two people are de facto spouses, meaning they cohabit without being married or in a civil union.
The recognition of a union and the definition of a de facto spouse can vary from one program to another, based on the number of years of cohabitation or if a child is born from this union.
Other useful link
Steps to take with the
Gouvernement du Québec
Québec.ca suggests the
When a couple separates
guide.
The guide provides information on separation, divorce, family mediation and support payments. It also outlines the steps to take with government departments and agencies.
Steps to take with the Government of Canada
Canada.ca suggests the
table of benefits per family situation
.
The table allows you to determine whether you are eligible for the Canada child benefit, the goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax (GST/HST) credit and the provincial and territorial programs. Do not forget to
contact the Canada Revenue Agency
to notify them of the change in conjugal status, because it has an impact on your taxes and family benefits.
Questions regarding the law, finances and psychological support
Juridiqc has a website on
separation and divorce
.
The website provides you with a
resource directory of legal, psychological and financial professionals. You will also find a list of free or low-cost resources. Check out the information gathered under 5 topics:
- home, property, money
- children
- adjusting to a separation
- mediation
- Court.