Wills for Canadian Military Veterans
Canadian military veterans (Canadian Armed Forces, RCMP, and certain other federal service) have specific estate planning considerations. General Canadian Wills cover the basics; veteran-specific elements need attention.
Specific elements for veterans
Military pension survivor benefits
CAF Pension Plan:
- Surviving spouse pension (typically 50% of member's pension)
- Children's pension for dependent children
- Specific calculations based on service history
- Application after death through CAF Pension Centre
RCMP Pension Plan:
- Similar survivor benefits structure
- Through RCMP Pension Services
Reservist pensions:
- Specific reserve service rules
- Smaller benefits typically; specific to service history
Veterans Affairs disability benefits
If receiving disability benefits, these typically cease at death. Specific provisions:
- Surviving spouse may receive specific benefits
- Specific application required
- Specific to disability classification
Veterans Affairs Funeral and Burial Program
Through the Last Post Fund (federal):
- Currently up to $7,376 plus tax for funeral home costs (professional services, casket or urn)
- Separate coverage, subject to its own caps, for the cemetery plot, opening/closing charges, and cremation costs
- Eligibility: service history, income, circumstances
- Application within 1 year of death
Specific to qualifying veterans only — not all veterans qualify. Income testing applies for current-era veterans.
National Military Cemetery (Beechwood)
The National Military Cemetery of Canada at Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa:
- Burial site for CAF members and veterans
- Specific protocols and eligibility
- Coordinate with Beechwood and DND
RCMP National Memorial Cemetery (separate section):
- For RCMP members
- Specific protocols
Military funeral honours
Specific ceremonial elements available for veterans:
- Flag-draped casket
- Bugler playing Last Post
- Honour guard
- For senior officers killed in line of duty: firing party, riderless horse
- Specific protocols through DND coordination
Military life insurance — SISIP
SISIP (Service Income Security Insurance Plan):
- Group life insurance for CAF members
- Coverage often continues after release
- Specific beneficiary designation
- Should be reviewed for currency
- Separate from individual life insurance
Other military insurance
- Disability insurance
- Workers' compensation if injury was work-related
- Specific to service circumstances
Will provisions specific to veterans
Designate beneficiaries on military insurance and pensions:
- Don't rely on Will alone; specific designation forms
- Update after life events
- Confirm currency
Address Veterans Affairs benefits cessation:
- Executor needs to notify Veterans Affairs Canada
- Specific cessation of benefits
- Specific to survivor benefit applications
Funeral preferences:
- Note military service for specific ceremonial elements
- Specify cemetery preference (National Military Cemetery if applicable)
- Document service history for executor reference
Designate executor familiar with military matters:
- Military veteran or military family member often best
- Complex paperwork specific to veteran benefits
- Specific to navigating Veterans Affairs
Service members on active duty
Special provisions for active duty:
- Military Wills (less restrictive execution requirements) in some circumstances
- Pre-deployment Power of Attorney strongly recommended
- Specific military legal services often available
- Specific to active operational circumstances
Deployment considerations:
- Pre-deployment legal review of Will
- Update beneficiary designations
- Ensure family knows location of documents
- Specific to military communication challenges
Specific to RCMP
RCMP veterans have specific considerations:
- RCMP Pension Plan survivor benefits
- RCMP National Memorial Cemetery
- Specific RCMP ceremonial protocols
- Some benefits overlap with general military but specific RCMP framework
Coordinating veteran benefits
Executor responsibilities:
- Notify Veterans Affairs Canada
- Apply for survivor pension (CAF or RCMP Pension Plan)
- Apply for Veterans Affairs Funeral and Burial Program
- Coordinate burial at National Military Cemetery if applicable
- Process specific military insurance claims (SISIP, etc.)
- Specific to substantial paperwork
Time-critical:
- Funeral arrangements: within days
- Survivor pension applications: within months
- Veterans Affairs funeral benefit: within 1 year
What veterans should document
Service record:
- CAF or RCMP service history
- Discharge or release documentation
- Rank, units served, specific to qualifying service
Benefit entitlements:
- Pension plan details
- Veterans Affairs benefits currently receiving
- Insurance policies (SISIP, individual, group)
Specific contact information:
- CAF Pension Centre
- Veterans Affairs Canada
- Specific contacts at DND or RCMP
Burial preferences:
- National Military Cemetery eligibility and preference
- Specific ceremonial elements desired
- Specific to service traditions
What we focus on at It's Simple Will
The Will Creator covers Canadian Wills with veteran-applicable provisions. For complex veteran circumstances, consultation with a Canadian lawyer familiar with military/veteran estate planning is appropriate. The Funeral Pre-Planner (post-payment) captures veteran-specific funeral preferences.
Related guides
Citations & sources
- [1]Veterans Affairs Canada — Funeral and burial assistance — Veterans Affairs Canada
- [2]Last Post Fund — Funeral and Burial Program — Last Post Fund
- [3]Canadian Armed Forces pensions — Survivor benefit entitlements — Government of Canada / Public Services and Procurement Canada
Frequently asked questions
What military pension survivor benefits exist?
CAF Pension Plan typically provides surviving spouse pension (50% of member's pension) plus children's pension for dependent children. RCMP Pension Plan similar. Specific to service history and pension plan terms. Apply through CAF Pension Centre or RCMP Pension Services after death.
What's the Veterans Affairs Funeral and Burial Program?
Administered through the Last Post Fund. Covers qualifying veterans — currently up to $7,376 plus tax for funeral home costs, with separate coverage (subject to its own caps) for the cemetery plot, opening/closing charges, and cremation costs. Eligibility based on service history, income, and circumstances. Application within 1 year of death recommended.
Can I be buried at the National Military Cemetery?
The National Military Cemetery is at Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa. Eligibility — Canadian Armed Forces members and veterans. Specific protocols. RCMP National Memorial Cemetery (separate section) for RCMP members. Limited capacity; specific applications.
What about military life insurance (SISIP)?
SISIP (Service Income Security Insurance Plan) is the CAF group insurance plan. Coverage typically continues after release. Specific beneficiary designation. Beneficiaries should be reviewed for currency. SISIP separate from individual life insurance you may have privately.
What if I'm deployed when I make my Will?
Special provisions apply for active duty service members. Specific military wills (less restrictive execution rules) may be available for those on active service. Specific to circumstances. Discussion with military legal services or specific lawyer recommended.
What's specifically Power of Attorney consideration for service members?
Deployment can make routine document execution difficult. Pre-deployment Power of Attorney for property (financial) and personal care (health) is strongly recommended. Specific military legal services often available for active members.