Col. Russell Williams, who is expected to plead guilty to two killings and two sexual assaults on Monday, is still entitled to his annual military pension of about $60,000, despite the severity of the crimes.

A defence lawyer for Williams said that his client will also likely plead guilty to 82 counts of break and enter when he appears before an Ontario judge next week.

However, a Tory bill aiming to stop prisoners from collecting old-age pensions would not have an effect in the Williams case, said Prime Minster Stephen Harper.

Speaking near Toronto, Harper said that "contractual obligations" make it difficult for the government to simply cut away a pension.

Harper also declined to specifically speak about the Williams case.

Nonetheless, he noted that eliminating old-age pensions and income supplements for criminal offenders is a step in the right direction.

"When someone is convicted of a crime like that they should not be receiving voluntary payments from the government of Canada, that's our position and we urge Parliament to pass that legislation."

Meanwhile, retired colonel Michel Drapeau said that victims' groups have the right to be angry, considering that Williams will also be allowed to keep his rank.

"They ought to be outraged," Drapeau told CTV News Channel from Ottawa on Friday afternoon.

Drapeau added that the jailed colonel will be entitled to other benefits as well, such as severance pay and reimbursements for changing residences. In short, Williams' record will appear as if the colonel had retired admirably, said Drapeau.

Before his shocking arrest in February relating to the murders of Jessica Lloyd, 27, and Cpl. Marie-France Comeau, 37, Williams was seen as a fast-rising military officer with a bright future.

Comeau had been found in her eastern Ontario home of Brighton last November, and Lloyd was discovered dead in the nearby town of Tweed.

Williams was later charged with two counts of first-degree murder and two counts each of sexual assault and unlawful confinement. He was also charged with dozens of break-ins.

Drapeau said that the military has had to deal with similar cases in the past, but this time, they have yet to act against Williams.

As a first step, Drapeau noted that the Director of Military Prosecutions could launch a case relating to Williams' conduct.

According to Drapeau, Williams could face military action for prejudicing the good order of discipline and disgraceful conduct.

Surprisingly, said Drapeau, the prosecutor hasn't been called into action.

"Why is it that this individual hasn't been mobilized?"

With files from The Canadian Press