Survivor benefits

If you die whilst an active member paying into the Scheme, the Scheme makes sure that your survivors are supported.

Depending on your circumstances the Scheme can provide:

The benefits are based on your final pay and, where appropriate, the membership and pension you would have built up to your normal pension age.


Lump sum death payment

A lump sum death payment of three times your pay may be payable.

You can tell us who you would like the lump sum death payment paid to by using the Expression of Wish form (see Related Documents in the "Helpful Information" section). Before we make any decision, we will consider any wishes you have expressed, but are not bound by this.

Survivor's pension

When you die, we may be able to 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 die in service:

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 you would have built up to your Normal Pension Age.

Note

Only your membership from 6 April 1988 is used for cohabiting partners, plus any of your membership before 6 April 1988 that you have opted to pay additional contributions for, so that it counts towards a cohabiting partner's pension.

For your dependent children

1/320 of your pensionable pay multiplied by the total membership you would have built up to your Normal Pension Age

1/240 of your pensionable pay multiplied by the total membership you would have built up to your Normal Pension Age

1/160 of your pensionable pay multiplied by the total membership you would have built up to your Normal Pension Age

1/120 of your pensionable pay multiplied by the total membership you would have built up to your Normal Pension Age

Important

Your membership is based on your membership at the date of your death plus what you would have built up to normal pension age, if you had survived and stayed in the scheme until then.

If there is more than one dependent child they share the pension equally.


Who will get my benefits?

Lump sum death payment

We make the final decision on whom to pay the lump sum to. Before we make a 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, as follows:

(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;

.

 

All of the above must be met for a continuous period of at least 2 years prior to your death.

Children's pensions are payable to any eligible dependent children you may have when you die or born up to one year after.

Please contact us if you want to know more.

Helpful information