An overview of the pension application process
Ready to apply for your pension? You can apply 90 days before your pension effective date.
Your retirement is just around the corner! Now that you've done some retirement planning and considered you pension options, it's time to apply for your pension.
When you're ready to retire, you'll need to apply for your pension - you won't receive it automatically when you stop working.
When you can apply
Send an email or letter to your supervisor and WorkSafeBC Total Rewards to let them both know your last day of work. We suggest you provide as much notice as possible to ensure a smooth application. The earliest you can apply for your pension is 90 days before your pension effective date, which is the month you want to begin receiving your pension. Note that your pension effective date is not the same as your pension payment date. It's a good idea to apply as soon as you're eligible to do so, and no later than 30 days before your pension effective date.
| Pension effective date | Apply on or after |
| January 1 | October 3 |
| February 1 | November 3 |
| March 1 | December 1 (December 2 if a leap year) |
| April 1 | January 1 (January 2 if a leap year) |
| May 1 | January 31 (February 1 if a leap year) |
| June 1 | March 3 |
| July 1 | April 2 |
| August 1 | May 3 |
| September 1 | June 3 |
| October 1 | July 3 |
| November 1 | August 3 |
| December 1 | September 2 |
How to apply for your pension
You can apply for your pension online by signing in to My Account and completing a seven-step application. On the Dashboard page in My Account, start by choosing your pension effective date. When you are within 90 days of your pension effective date, you can start your application:
- Review your personal profile information and make any required changes
- Confirm information about your spouse (if you are married or in a common-law relationship)
- Choose a pension option
- Name your primary and alternate beneficiaries
- Review and apply for (or waive) the retirement health coverage available to you
- Provide your banking information so we can directly deposit your monthly pension payment into your bank account
- Review your pension application and submit it
You do not need to complete all 7 steps in one sitting. You can save your application and go back to it at any time before submitting it to the plan. However, please note that delaying your application may also delay the date of your first pension payment.
What happens next
After you apply for your pension, we will review your application and contact you if we need any additional information.
You can expect your first pension payment to arrive on the last day of the month your pension is effective. However, if you worked for the plan employer in the month before your pension is effective, your employer is required to submit confirmation of your termination and final service and salary information to us. We will process your pension within 14 days of receiving this information.
Contact Total Rewards or the plan if you have questions
If you have any questions about the pension application process or timelines, contact WorkSafeBC Total Rewards or the plan.