If the applicable document provides clear instructions that are possible for OMERS to administer, OMERS can pay a benefit to a member's former spouse once the benefit becomes available to the member (that is, upon termination of employment, retirement, or the member's death). Again, the language must be clear enough for OMERS to do so.
It is not possible to divide a pension benefit while the member remains active in the OMERS Plan.
OMERS can pay to the former spouse a maximum of 50% of the pension benefit accrued by the member under the defined benefit provision of the Plan during the spousal period. This does not include any salary or plan improvements that occur after the marriage breakdown.
If OMERS does not have authorization under the marriage breakdown document to pay the former spouse directly, OMERS will accept the member's written authorization to do so. However, if OMERS does not have either authority, the member will be responsible for making the payment to the former spouse. OMERS will need the former spouse's full name, current address, social insurance number and, if applicable, direct deposit information. The former spouse will be taxed on their portion.