Survivor benefits

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.

If you left before 1 April 2009, a lump sum of 3 times your deferred pension is paid.
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 'Resources' section.

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.

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.

If you would like benefits to be paid to a cohabiting partner they will need to meet certain criteria.

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.

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

Please note that if there is more than one dependent child they will share the pension equally.

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 two 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 two 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.