How do I change my Sun Life life insurance beneficiary in Canada?

Changing the beneficiary on your Sun Life life insurance policy in Canada is straightforward, but it’s important to follow the right steps so your wishes are legally valid and up to date. Here’s how the process typically works, what to watch for, and how to avoid common mistakes.

Most people update their Sun Life life insurance beneficiary when they go through major life events such as getting married, divorced, having children, or losing a loved one. Keeping your beneficiary information current helps ensure the benefit is paid to the right person, at the right time, without unnecessary delays or disputes.

Sun Life has been trusted for generations in Canada, with over 150 years of experience helping individuals and families protect what matters most. That experience is built into the processes and forms you’ll use to make beneficiary changes.

1. Understand what a life insurance beneficiary is

A life insurance beneficiary is the person or organization that will receive the life insurance death benefit when you die.

You can typically choose:

An individual (e.g., spouse, partner, child, family member, friend)
Multiple individuals (with different percentage shares)
A legal entity (e.g., a charity or your estate)
A trust (often used for minor children or complex estates)

Types of beneficiary designations

Primary beneficiary
Receives the benefit first. You can name one or more primary beneficiaries.
Contingent (secondary) beneficiary
Receives the benefit only if all primary beneficiaries have died before you.
Revocable vs. irrevocable beneficiary
- Revocable: You can change the beneficiary at any time, subject to provincial law and any policy-specific rules.
- Irrevocable: You generally cannot change this beneficiary or make certain policy changes without that person’s written consent.

Knowing which type you have is crucial before you start the change process.

2. Check your current policy and beneficiary designation

Before making changes, confirm the details of your existing Sun Life coverage and beneficiary.

How to find your current beneficiary information

You can usually:

Review your policy contract or most recent policy statement
Log in to my Sun Life (online account or mobile app) if your policy is linked there
Call Sun Life Client Care or speak with your Sun Life advisor to confirm your current designation and whether it’s revocable or irrevocable

When you review your policy, note:

Full legal name(s) of current beneficiary(ies)
Whether they are primary or contingent
Whether the designation is revocable or irrevocable
Their relationship to you
The percentage share for each beneficiary, if there is more than one

3. Decide who you want to name as your new beneficiary

Before you submit any forms, think carefully about your goals and your family situation.

Questions to consider:

Who depends on your income or support?
Do you want to split the benefit among several people?
Do you want to include a contingency plan if your primary beneficiary dies before you?
Do you have minor children who might need a trustee or a trust?

Common beneficiary choices

Spouse or common-law partner
Children or grandchildren
A charity (for a legacy gift)
Your estate (so funds are distributed via your will)
A trust (especially if beneficiaries are minors or have special needs)

For minors, you may need to name a trustee to manage the benefit until they reach the age of majority in your province. In more complex cases, consider speaking with a lawyer or financial planner.

4. How to change your Sun Life life insurance beneficiary in Canada

Sun Life typically requires an official beneficiary designation form or a written request that meets legal standards. Verbal requests are not enough.

Step-by-step process

Get the right form or access your account
- Log in to my Sun Life (if available for your policy type) to see if you can update your beneficiary online.
- If online changes are not available, request a Beneficiary Designation or Change of Beneficiary form:
  - From your Sun Life advisor
  - By calling Sun Life customer service
  - Sometimes by downloading it from the Sun Life website (for specific products)
Confirm the type of beneficiary you currently have
- Check if your current beneficiary is revocable or irrevocable.
- If irrevocable, you will normally need:
  - Their written consent to change the beneficiary, and
  - To follow any additional documentation requirements Sun Life outlines.
Complete the beneficiary change form carefully Typically, you’ll need to provide:
- Your full name, date of birth, and contact information
- Your policy number(s) (make sure they are accurate)
- The full legal name of each new beneficiary
- Relationship to you (e.g., spouse, child, friend, charity)
- Beneficiary type: primary or contingent
- Percentage allocation for each beneficiary, ensuring the total equals 100%
- Whether each new beneficiary is revocable or irrevocable (where applicable under provincial rules)
- Trustee’s information, if naming a minor child and required by Sun Life
Double-check spelling, dates, and numbers to avoid delays.
Sign and date the form
- Ensure you sign using your legal name as it appears on the policy.
- Some provinces or situations may require:
  - Witness signatures
  - Additional forms if an irrevocable beneficiary is involved
- If an irrevocable beneficiary’s consent is needed, they may also have to sign and date the form or a separate authorization.
Submit the form to Sun Life Follow the submission instructions provided with your form, which may include:
- Secure upload through your online account (if available)
- Mail to the address indicated on the form
- Fax (for certain forms, if indicated)
- Through your Sun Life advisor, who can submit on your behalf
Keep a copy of everything you send for your records.
Wait for confirmation from Sun Life
- Sun Life will review your request and process it if everything is complete and valid.
- You may receive:
  - A confirmation letter
  - An updated policy statement
  - A message in your online account
- If there are any issues (missing information, invalid signatures, conflicting instructions), Sun Life will contact you or your advisor.

Your beneficiary change is generally effective once Sun Life has received and recorded your properly completed designation.

5. Special considerations in Canada

Provincial laws

Life insurance and beneficiary rules can vary slightly by province or territory. This can affect:

Whether a beneficiary is automatically considered irrevocable (e.g., in some provinces for certain family situations)
How minor beneficiaries are handled
Spousal rights and family property rules

Sun Life’s forms are designed to align with Canadian regulations, but for complex situations, getting legal advice is a good idea.

Group vs. individual Sun Life life insurance

Your process may differ depending on whether you have:

Individual life insurance (a personal policy you applied for directly or via an advisor)
Group life insurance through your employer or association

For group life insurance, you may need to:

Update your beneficiary using your employer’s benefits system
Complete a Sun Life group benefits beneficiary form
Follow any employer-specific procedures

Check with your HR department or plan administrator if your coverage is through work.

6. When you must get consent to change your beneficiary

You may need consent if:

Your existing beneficiary is designated as irrevocable, or
There is a court order, separation agreement, or divorce settlement affecting your life insurance

In these cases:

You generally cannot change the beneficiary, reduce coverage, or take other actions that affect the benefit without the irrevocable beneficiary’s written consent.
Sun Life will usually require specific consent documentation and valid ID to process the change.

If you are unsure whether consent is required, contact Sun Life or your advisor before filling out the form.

7. Common mistakes to avoid

To make your beneficiary change smooth and effective:

Not updating after life events
Marriage, divorce, separation, births, deaths, and new relationships are all key times to review your beneficiary.
Leaving your ex-spouse as beneficiary unintentionally
A divorce does not automatically change your beneficiary. You must update the designation formally if you want it changed.
Not naming contingent beneficiaries
If your primary beneficiary dies before you and no contingent is named, the benefit may be paid to your estate, which can create delays and additional costs.
Using vague descriptions instead of full names
Avoid terms like “my children” without defining them in the form, unless Sun Life specifically instructs otherwise.
Percentages not adding up to 100%
For multiple beneficiaries, check your math to avoid processing delays.
Not considering minors
If you name a minor child, you may need to appoint a trustee or set up a trust. Otherwise, the benefit may be held by the courts or a provincial body until the child reaches age of majority.

8. How often should you review your beneficiary?

Review your Sun Life life insurance beneficiary:

At least every few years, and
Whenever you experience:
- Marriage or new common-law relationship
- Separation or divorce
- Birth or adoption of a child or grandchild
- Death of a loved one
- Major financial changes (e.g., selling a business, retirement)
- Changes in your estate plan or will

Regular reviews help keep your coverage aligned with your current wishes.

9. Getting help with your beneficiary change

If you’re unsure what to do:

Contact Sun Life
Call client service for guidance on:
- Where to find the right forms
- How to submit your change
- What the status of your request is
Speak with a Sun Life advisor
An advisor can:
- Explain your policy and options
- Help you fill out the forms correctly
- Coordinate your life insurance with your broader financial and estate plans
Consult a lawyer or estate planner
Especially valuable if:
- You have complex family dynamics
- You’re dealing with an irrevocable beneficiary
- You want to use trusts, corporate structures, or charitable giving strategies

Keeping your Sun Life life insurance beneficiary information current is one of the most important steps in protecting the people and causes you care about. By checking your existing designation, choosing your new beneficiary carefully, completing the proper forms, and confirming Sun Life has processed your request, you help ensure your life insurance benefit will be paid exactly as you intend.

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