Does getting married automatically update my beneficiary designations in Ontario?

No. Getting married in Ontario does not automatically update your beneficiary designations on registered accounts or insurance policies. You must update each account and policy individually with your financial institution or insurer to reflect your new spouse as the beneficiary.

Ontario's Succession Law Reform Act provides that marriage revokes a previously made will (meaning your old will is invalid if made before the marriage — a new will is needed after you marry). However, this automatic revocation rule does not apply to account-level beneficiary designations.

This means that if you had named an ex-partner, a parent, or a sibling as your RRSP beneficiary before your marriage and you do not update the designation, that person will still receive your RRSP on your death — your new spouse will receive nothing from that account.

Updating your beneficiary designations is one of the most important things to do immediately upon marriage (or any major relationship change). At the same time, you should make or update your will to reflect your new circumstances. A lawyer can help you review your complete estate plan as a new couple.