Survivor benefits
If you die before you take your deferred benefits, the Scheme makes sure that your family is supported.
Depending on your circumstances it can provide:
Lump sum death grant
If you die before you have taken your deferred benefits your next-of-kin may be entitled to a lump sum death grant.
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If you left before 1 April 1998 a lump sum the same as the members retirement grant
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If you left before 1 April 2009 a lump sum of 3 times your deferred pension is paid
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If you left on or after 1 April 2009: a lump sum of 5 times your deferred pension is paid
You can tell us who you would like the lump sum death grant paid to by using the Expression of Wish form in the "Helpful Information" section.
Survivor's pension
If you die before you take your deferred benefits, we will pay a pension to your husband/wife or your civil partner or your cohabiting partner and your dependent children.
Amount of survivor's pension:
If you would like benefits to be paid to a cohabiting partner they will need to meet certain criteria. See who will get my benefits for more information.
Calculating the amount of survivor's pension
For your husband or wife, civil partner or cohabiting partner
1/160th of your pensionable pay multiplied by the total membership built up at your date of leaving.
Note
Only your membership from 6 April 1988 is used for cohabiting partners, although you do have the option to pay additional survivor benefit contributions (ASBCs) to extend this cover to include earlier periods of membership in the Scheme.
For your dependent children
Pension for one child, where a pension is also being paid to your husband, wife, civil partner or cohabiting partner
1/320 of your pensionable pay multiplied by the total membership built up at your date of leaving.
Pension for one child, where no pension is being paid to your husband, wife, civil partner or cohabiting partner
1/240 of your pensionable pay multiplied by the total membership built up at your date of leaving.
Pension for 2 or more children, where a pension is also being paid to your husband, wife, civil partner or cohabiting partner
1/160 of your pensionable pay multiplied by the total membership built up at your date of leaving.
Pension for 2 or more children, where no pension is being paid to your husband, wife, civil partner or nominated cohabiting partner
1/120 of your pensionable pay multiplied by the total membership built up at your date of leaving.
Important
If there is more than one dependent child they share the pension equally.
Who will get my benefits?
Lump sum death grant
We make the final decision on who to pay the lump sum to. Before we make any decision we will consider any wishes you have expressed, but are not bound by this.
You can let us know your wishes by filling in an Expression of Wish form (see Related Documents in the Helpful Information section).
Survivor's pensions
Survivor's pensions are payable to your husband/wife or your civil partner or cohabiting partner.
If you would like benefits to be paid to a cohabiting partner they will need to meet certain criteria:
| (a) | the person (P) has fulfilled the condition in paragraph (b)(i), and the conditions in (b)(ii) to (iv) for a continuous period of at least 2 years on the date the member (M) died; and |
| (b) | the condition is that- |
| (i) | M is able to marry or form a civil partnership with P; |
| (ii) | M and P are living together as if they were a married couple or as if they were civil partners; |
| (iii) | neither M nor P is living with a third person as if they were a married couple or as if they were civil partners; and |
| (iv) | either P is financially dependent on M, or M and P are financially interdependent; |
Children's pensions are payable to any eligible dependent children you may have when you die.
Please contact us if you want to know more.
