By Canadian Press

Feds take digital step to reshape benefits system for expat seniors

Jul 26, 2019 | 8:32 AM

OTTAWA — The federal government has started on a path to trade, in bulk, information on expatriate seniors with other countries to save time and money when one of them dies.

It’s estimated about three million Canadians live overseas, including seniors who qualify for federal benefits such as old-age security and the Canada Pension Plan.

Internal government documents prepared for Seniors Minister Filomena Tassi outlined the problem when one those expats receiving benefits dies overseas.

Simply put, details about a death were passed on ad hoc, leading to delays in reporting and incorrect payments the government had to chase down to get back.

Federal officials have started sending and receiving digital files in bulk about beneficiaries to the Netherlands since a two-way agreement was signed in March.

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Employment and Social Development Canada, which is responsible for the file, says it and many other foreign governments are looking to sign more such deals to improve the efficiency of public pension programs.

The Canadian Press