This conference addresses the impacts of the dissolution of a civil union, but more specifically the post-divorce impacts of pension fund and retirement plan division. It focuses on the effects of the division of family patrimony on the retirement capital of future ex-spouses.

Mr. Dupras presents the set of rules aimed at fairness that apply to individuals united by marriage or civil union. However, these rules do not apply to common-law partners or de facto unions. He focuses on three elements that influence an individual’s retirement in the event of divorce or death, namely:

• RRSPs acquired during the marriage;

• earnings registered with the Québec Pension Plan (QPP);

• the value of pension funds accumulated during the union.

He highlights what will happen to these savings in the event of an anticipated divorce, in other words, the financial consequences of divorce on retirement. He also distinguishes between registered pension plans and plans not subject to tax limits. These are excluded from the division of family patrimony, such as supplemental plans or secured plans (executive plans), DPSPs (Deferred Profit Sharing Plans), and TFSAs (Tax-Free Savings Accounts).

Regarding RRSPs, he suggests several tips, including holding two separate RRSP accounts, one before and one during the marriage. This strategy simplifies the division of family patrimony and mitigates the financial consequences of divorce. In addition, he reminds participants of the tax implications when there is an actual division of monetary amounts. According to the speaker, in the event of a division of family patrimony due to divorce, it is not each item that is divided, but rather a total value.