In addition to the fund benefits, if you are an active employee your spouse is covered by the Spouses Benefit.

 If you are married and your spouse dies, you will receive a lump sum equal to one year’s benefit base. Should you have more than one spouse to whom you are married, you will be required to nominate the spouse you wish to have covered. 

Members may be in a common-law relationship and this refers to a person who has been residing with the member for a continuous period of at least 6 months and who is considered by the community as the member’s wife/husband or same-gender partner.

In order to qualify for this benefit, if you are in such a relationship an affidavit to this effect must be forwarded to Engen Human Capital Division for retention in the employee’s file.