Ontario residents, Juan and Maria, are a married couple approaching retirement.

In Ontario, married members of a defined benefit pension plan (DBPP) are typically required to provide at least a 50% survivor benefit to their spouse upon their death unless the spouse waives this right. LLQP materials covering pension plans indicate that this spousal protection is standardfor defined benefit plans, and Maria's pension would provide at least 50% to Juan as the surviving spouse​​.

Options like reducing the survivor benefit below 50% are generally not permitted under Ontario pension law, and a waiver must be in place for any changes​.