Wife of senior who disappeared in 2023 says getting his pension just before 50th wedding anniversary 'fitting'

Brenda Moberg, who has been steadfast in her fight to secure a portion of her missing husband's Canada Pension Plan, says it's fitting she'll finally be able to receive the benefits during the month which marks her 50th wedding anniversary.

Moberg's application to get the survivor's benefit through CPP was denied on Feb. 6 by the federal department that administers the program because she was unable to prove her husband, Earl, was dead.

Wife of missing senior finally receives survivors benefits under husband's pension

3 days ago

Duration 2:28

Brenda Moberg was denied the benefits after she couldn't prove her husband Earl — who had dementia and disappeared in 2023 — had been presumed dead. The application was reconsidered and accepted last month, ending a long and stressful fight.

Earl, who had dementia, was last seen wandering in Winnipeg's River East area on Dec. 12, 2023, when he was 81 years old. Despite multiple searches, including dragging rivers, his body has never been found. His family believes he is dead.

Brenda Moberg informed Employment and Social Development Canada, the federal department that administers the Canada Pension Plan, of his disappearance last summer, but was told in order to collect the survivor's benefit, she would need a death certificate, which she didn't have.

Having him presumed dead under Manitoba's Presumption of Death and Declaration of Absence Act would require thousands of dollars for an estate lawyer to collect evidence, including medical records or police reports, she said.

Moberg submitted a request last month to reconsider her rejected application, and the department contacted her on Feb. 27 to inform her that after a review, it had deemed Earl deceased as of the day he disappeared, and the application would be granted.

She was also given retroactive payments.

"It's been a long time, and I just think it's fitting to get his survivor's benefit in the month of our 50th anniversary," she said, noting their anniversary was Saturday.

CBC reached out to the federal department on Thursday but did not receive a response before publication.

Moberg said she was told processing her application for reconsideration would take up to six months, but believes sending in more documentation to prove Earl was missing, including media coverage, hastened their response. 

The presumption of death approved last month only applies for CPP and Old Age Security benefits, but Moberg hopes having that will also help her have him presumed dead through a court later this year, if he has not been found by then. 

"The last time I talked to [Winnipeg police], they said they're just waiting for the public, I guess, to find him or to get any traces of him at all," she said.  "They've searched wherever they could."

'Salt in the wound'

Moberg isn't sure whether searches for Earl will continue this year, but she is planning a private memorial service, bringing family, friends and those who have participated in searches together to honour her husband this summer. 

She choked up as she expressed gratitude for the people who have kept signs up to raise awareness of Earl's disappearance, including staff at a Superstore location and businesses at McIvor Mall in the North Kildonan area. 

She hopes her approved application will encourage others with a missing spouse to advocate for their benefits, and that her case sets a precedent for how the federal department responsible for the benefits handles future cases.

The CEO of a national seniors' advocacy group said she also hopes Moberg's case will streamline the government process.

"The denial of her claim because she couldn't produce the death certificate was additional salt in the wound at a time where she also needed not just closure, but the financial support," said Laura Tamblyn Watts, the CEO of CanAge.

"So this reconsideration is compassionate and appropriate, and I'm so glad for her that she may now be able to better make ends meet."

While she applauds Moberg's persistence in advocating for herself, Tamblyn Watts said it's not unusual for seniors to "fall between the cracks" because they don't have the knowledge, ability, advocacy or support to navigate systems like the Canada Pension Plan, which can impact them financially.

She said particularly for women with a missing spouse, whether or not a survivor's benefit is paid may determine whether they can maintain stable housing and food security, adding that the federal government needs to do better to ensure vulnerable seniors are protected.