Retired Members
When to Contact TRAF
Retired Members
When to Contact TRAF
Throughout your retirement, certain changes and life events must be reported to TRAF. Please contact TRAF whenever one of these changes occurs.
If your address, email or phone number changes, log in to your Online Services account and update your Account Profile. Or, complete a Change Notification and share it with us through our secure online platform so we can update our files accurately. It is important that we have a current address, email and phone number for you.
If your address changes due to a move within your province, log in to your Online Services account and update your Account Profile. Or, complete a Change Notification and share it with us through our secure online platform so we can updates our files accurately.
To help prevent complications at tax time, it is important to let us know if your permanent residency status changes. Please contact us when you move out of province or country to ensure your tax forms are updated in a timely fashion. To update your new address and phone number, if applicable, log in to your Online Services account and update your Account Profile. Or, complete a Change Notification and share it with us through our secure online platform so we can updates our files accurately.
TRAF determines the amount of tax deducted for retired members in accordance with the Income Tax Act rules and guidelines. The tax deduction is based on your province or country of residence for tax purposes and the information you provided on the TD1 tax form(s) when you applied for pension. If your tax credits or province or country of residence change, you will need to complete a new TD1 form and submit it to TRAF.
You may change the amount of income tax deducted from your pension as long as it is not reduced below the minimum amount required by Canada Revenue Agency. You need to advise TRAF of the additional fixed dollar amount you want deducted from your pension payment by completing a Change Notification and sharing it with us through our secure online platform. If you think you may qualify for additional tax credits or you no longer want to claim certain tax credits, you should also complete and share a new TD1 form.
Register for and log in to your Online Services account to try the tax calculator, which will help you determine the amount of income tax TRAF is required to withhold from your gross monthly pension.
If your banking information changes, ensure your pension payments are not interrupted by completing a Change Notification and sharing it with us through our secure online platform along with a void cheque or letter from your financial institution with your new and old branch numbers, transit numbers and account numbers.
We recognize that this is a difficult time, but it is important that TRAF be advised as soon as possible if a death occurs. Depending on the plan option you selected at retirement, your pension may be affected if your spouse/partner passes away. It is also important that a spouse or beneficiary inform us of the death of a member. Alerting our office will prevent pension overpayments which would be required to be repaid to TRAF later.
In addition, if your spouse/partner passes away, you may wish to designate a contingent beneficiary for any contributions and interest remaining in your account at the time of your death.
TRAF does not have the authority to carry out requests from your partner, family member or others, unless you have made power of attorney arrangements. You or your attorney must provide TRAF with a copy of the document granting power of attorney, as well as the Power of Attorney form.
There are several different types of power of attorney. We encourage you to consult with your lawyer to ensure that you have the appropriate power of attorney in place.
If you and your partner (married or common-law) have separated, it is important to contact TRAF promptly for information on how your pension is affected.
If the separation is permanent, your former partner may be entitled to up to 50% of the pension value earned from the date the relationship began to the date of separation.
We encourage you to seek legal advice regarding your family law entitlements, and financial advice regarding the implications of a relationship breakdown to your pension.
Further information can be found in “Life Events.”
If you return to teach in a Manitoba public school or are employed in another position covered by TRAF after you retire, you should be aware of the number of days you can teach before it affects your pension. To learn more, review the Teaching After Retirement fact sheet.
Connect With Us
If you have any questions about your pension, get in touch. We are happy to help you over the phone or by email.
