Your beneficiary, the person you choose to receive your pension death benefit, plays a crucial role in your pension plan. Under pension legislation:
Ellement or the CWA/ITU Pension Plan (Canada) does not verify or assume any responsibility for the validity of your beneficiary designation(s).
If necessary, please contact Ellement for the applicable form(s) to update your beneficiary designation, marital status, or family situation. You must make these changes in writing on the applicable form(s).
Your pension benefits are generally "locked-in" and can't be withdrawn as cash. They must provide retirement income instead. There are some exceptions for small pensions, which depend on provincial rules. For example:
As an Active Plan member, you are not permitted to withdraw your vested pension account until your termination or retirement from your employment.