Protection for your family

There are improvements to the Scheme’s benefits if you die provided you pay into the Scheme on or after 1 April 2009.

What benefits will be paid if I die?

If you die in service as a member of the Scheme the benefits shown below are payable.

 
• A widow’s, widower’s, civil partner’s or, subject to the certain qualifying conditions, a nominated co-habiting partner’s pension equal to 1/160th of your final pay times the total membership you would have built up in the scheme to age 65. However, civil partner’s and nominated co-habiting partner’s pensions will be less than this if you have membership in the scheme before 6 April 1988.

• Pensions for eligible children

• A lump sum death grant of three times annual pensionable pay. If you are part-time, it is three times annual pensionable part-time pay.

If you die after retiring on pension, the benefits below are payable.

 
• A widow’s, widower’s, civil partner’s or, subject to the certain qualifying conditions, a nominated co-habiting partner’s pension and pensions for eligible children are payable. A widow’s and widower’s pension is equal to 1/160th of your final pay times the total membership your pension is based on unless you marry after retirement in which case it could be less. A civil partner’s and nominated partner’s pension is equal to 1/160th of your final pay times your membership in the scheme after 5 April 1988.

• A death grant is payable if your pension has been in payment for less than 10 years and you are under age 75 at the date of death. The balance of the pension which would have been payable for ten years is paid as a lump sum.

Death Grant Expression of Wish Form

The Scheme allows you to say who you would like any death grant to be paid to by completing a form. All members are strongly advised to complete a death grant expression of wish form and to ensure that it is kept up-to-date. A new form must be completed if marital or partnership circumstances change. Click here to download a copy of the form.

It should be noted that under the regulations, the Committee retains absolute discretion when deciding who to pay any death grant to. This discretion enables the death grant normally to be paid free of inheritance tax.

Nomination of Cohabiting Partner Form

 
To nominate a cohabiting partner your relationship has to meet certain conditions laid down by the Scheme. Click here to view these conditions and download a copy of the form.