What You Need To Know
If your marriage or common-law relationship comes to an end, it’s important to review and update your benefits coverage and personal information. You may also want to consider speaking with a counsellor for emotional support — our Employee and Family Assistance Program offers this service at no cost.
What You Need To Do: Step-by-Step
1. Remove a Spouse or Partner From Your Benefits Coverage
If you are divorced or no longer in a common-law relationship, you are required to remove your former spouse or partner from your benefits coverage. Former spouses or partners are not eligible to remain as dependants under the group benefits plan, even if your divorce or separation agreement states otherwise.
If continued coverage is required, they will need to arrange for private health and/or dental insurance at their own cost. The Company is not responsible for providing or coordinating this coverage.
A spouse who is legally separated remains eligible for coverage under the plan as long as you remain legally married. Once a divorce is finalized, a former spouse is no longer eligible for coverage under the plan and must be removed from your benefits coverage, even if a court order, divorce agreement, or separation agreement requires benefits coverage to be maintained.
Sign in to the Manulife plan member site and follow the available prompts to report your divorce and remove your former spouse or partner from your group benefits coverage. You may be asked to confirm the date of the life event or provide supporting documentation. If you cannot find the appropriate option or are unsure what information to provide, contact Manulife Group Benefits at 800-268-6195 to confirm the process that applies to your situation.
2. Update Your Beneficiary for Your Life Insurance and AD&D
Review your beneficiary designations following a separation or divorce. If your insurance contract was signed in Quebec, a spouse named as beneficiary may be considered irrevocable unless the designation was expressly made revocable. If the designation is irrevocable, the beneficiary’s consent may be required before it can be changed. Separation or divorce may not automatically change an existing beneficiary designation.
Contact Manulife Group Benefits at 800-268-6195 to confirm your beneficiary status, the documentation required and the process that applies to your situation.
3. Handling Your Pension Plan After Separation or Divorce
Pension matters related to a separation or divorce — such as the division of pension assets, spousal entitlement and updating beneficiary information — can be complex and are governed by specific legislation and plan rules.
To ensure you receive accurate guidance tailored to your situation, we recommend contacting Sun Life’s Pension Client Care Centre directly at 866-733-8612 (Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET).
Our Benefits Team does not provide legal or financial advice on pension division. The Sun Life team can walk you through the necessary steps, help you understand your options, and provide any forms or documentation you may need.
4. Update Your Contact Information
If you’re moving, don’t forget to update your address and provide new emergency contact information in Workday, especially if your former spouse or partner was previously listed.
5. Access Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) Services
- Going through a separation or divorce can be emotionally and mentally challenging. Our EFAP is available 24/7 to support you with confidential counselling and resources — at no cost to you.
- Whether you need someone to talk to, legal or financial guidance, or help navigating family changes, the EFAP is here to help.
- To access confidential EFAP support and find details about available services, visit the EFAP website.
