Survivor benefits
If you die before you take your deferred benefits, the Scheme makes sure that your survivors are supported.
Depending on your circumstances it can provide:
The benefits are based on your final pay and the membership you had built up on the day you left the Scheme.
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 2008 a lump sum of 3 times your deferred pension is paid
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If you left on or after 1 April 2008: 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 Nomination of beneficiary for death grant 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 you would have built up to your Normal Pension Age.
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 you would have built up to your Normal Pension Age
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 you would have built up to your Normal Pension Age
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 you would have built up to your Normal Pension Age
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 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 age 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 grant
We make the final decision on who to pay the lump sum to. We will normally pay this to who you have asked us to.
You can let us know your wishes by filling in a "nomination of beneficiary for death payments" 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.
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.
