Caught in the Spiral of Automated Telephone System

Today, we ventured into the Canada Pension Plan automated system. Call the 800 number, listen to the menu choices, choose #3 for disability, listen to an explanation, choose #2, doesn't apply, hit # to return to the previous menu, listen again, choose #1 for Canada pension, choices don't apply, hit # to return to the previous menu, listen again, the only thing that even sounds right is #3, try again, and, of course I hadn't missed anything, so # back. let's try #2, listen and it doesn't apply, hit # to return to the previous menu. 

ARRRRRGH!  Hit 0, and the phone rings....with....comments about how the website might be able to help. Just a few more seconds and we are in the QUEUE!!!! Hooray! AND it is only a 5 minute wait!

But WAIT! The phone rings after just TWO minutes, and we are off to the races. 

With Hubby on disability, the children still in school receive monthly "Survivor Benefits". When he turns 65 next year, we know that his Long Term Disability payments from his former employer automatically switches to a regular pension. The question for CPP was...what happens with that pension? Does it automatically go to a regular CPP? And, (why we were calling in the first place), what happens to those survivor benefits for the girls? While not a huge amount, it more than covers their food each month.

Daniel was our CPP service representative.  He efficiently went through the mandatory questions: social insurance number, name, address, phone number, mother's maiden name, and, finally, permission for me to ask my question directly.  

Daniel was soooo efficient. When I asked what would happen as DH turns 65, he answered the questions that I had in mind without me saying a word. It will be an automatic change from disability tor regular pension plan, and all survivor benefits will stop. Thanks, Daniel. Not what we wanted to hear, but we have a YEAR to acclimate to that.

With one daughter still in school for a year after DH goes on regular CPP, we need to consider how we can help her out. All of the other children received 5 years of survivor benefits, so I feel compelled to make sure that she does, too. We are fortunate that all of my children paid for their own education - with OSAP loans, and scholarships and bursaries.  

So, how to figure out how best to help her for her last year-especially if I am going to retire next year, too? 

After reaching for the calculator, I am going to be putting $100 a pay into a pot.  By the time that her CPP survivor benefits run out, I will have enough to cover her loss. And her older sister graduates in May, so that is now a non-issue.

Bottom line: Today answered some questions, and we made a plan. Next up-a couple of retirement workshops later this month.