Guide

Annuities and benefits after a death: who receives what

Some amounts follow the will, others follow a beneficiary designation, and some are lost. Confusing the three costs heirs money.

Check before acting

Some amounts follow the will, others follow a beneficiary designation, and some are lost. Confusing the three costs heirs money.

Three channels, and the will is not always the right one

A beneficiary designation (life insurance, RRSP, annuity, employer plan) goes directly to the designated person, outside the estate. The estate receives the rest, and some public benefits follow their own rules.

Official sources

Retraite Quebec
Quebec — Public Curator

Sources: Retraite Quebec (https://www.retraitequebec.gouv.qc.ca/en/); Quebec — Public Curator (https://www.curateur.gouv.qc.ca/cura/en/index.html). Checked September 20, 2026 — amounts, deadlines and fees are not reproduced here: confirm with the official source.

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