In CPP and OAS splitting, when couples are divorced, how is the benefit handled?

In CPP and OAS splitting, when couples are divorced, how is the benefit handled?

• A. Both apply to receive their portion
• B. Only one applies; you receive the amount accumulated when together
• C. The benefit is divided equally regardless of the split
• D. The government chooses who receives the benefit

Answer: (B)

When a divorce happens, CPP retirement pension sharing and OAS pension sharing are possible ways to adjust benefits between former spouses, but the amount that can be shared is tied to the period of the relationship. Only the portion of the pension that was earned while you were still together is eligible for sharing; benefits earned after separation aren’t part of the shared amount. You or your former spouse must elect to share under the rules for the program, and the sharing applies to one program at a time rather than automatically splitting both. So, the recipient would receive the portion of the benefit that accumulated during the time you were together, rather than a share of the entire lifetime benefit. The other options aren’t correct because benefits aren’t automatically split equally, the government doesn’t decide who receives in each case, and both programs aren’t automatically shared in the same divorce.

When a divorce happens, CPP retirement pension sharing and OAS pension sharing are possible ways to adjust benefits between former spouses, but the amount that can be shared is tied to the period of the relationship. Only the portion of the pension that was earned while you were still together is eligible for sharing; benefits earned after separation aren’t part of the shared amount. You or your former spouse must elect to share under the rules for the program, and the sharing applies to one program at a time rather than automatically splitting both.

So, the recipient would receive the portion of the benefit that accumulated during the time you were together, rather than a share of the entire lifetime benefit. The other options aren’t correct because benefits aren’t automatically split equally, the government doesn’t decide who receives in each case, and both programs aren’t automatically shared in the same divorce.