Death benefits
Ensuring your loved ones are cared for when you’re gone
If you die whilst receiving your pension, your loved ones could be entitled to a lump sum death payment and/or survivors pensions.
To ensure we understand your wishes, you must keep your expression of wish up to date. You can do this by updating it in the Engage portal or by completing and sending us an Expression of wish form for death grants .
Lump sum death payment
A lump sum may be payable if you die, however it will depend on when you retired and how many years pension you have received.
If you:
Left the Scheme before 1 April 2008, a lump sum will be payable if you pass away within 5 years of taking your pension.
Left the Scheme on or after 1 April 2008, a lump sum will be payable if you pass away within 10 years of taking your pension.
Survivor's pension
When you die, we may pay a pension to your husband/wife/civil partner/cohabiting partner and your dependent children.
The amount of pension is based on how long you were in the Scheme, your pay when you retired, and any dependents you leave. The pension will be payable for life to your husband/wife or your civil partner or your cohabiting partner, even if they later remarry or enter into another civil partnership.
If you married after you retired, not all your membership may count towards a pension for your husband or wife. The amount of a survivor's pension depends on a number of factors - please contact us for the details applicable to your circumstances.