What happens if you die before your deferred benefits are paid?
If you leave with deferred benefits after 31 March 2008 and die before receiving them, the following benefits are payable:
- Death Grant - a lump sum payment of 5 times your deferred annual pension (including cost of living awards up to the date of your death) would be paid.
- Survivor's pension - a pension will be paid to your husband, wife, registered civil partner or, subject to certain qualifying conditions, your nominated co-habiting partner. For your husband, wife or registered civil partner the pension payable is equal to 1/160th of your final pay times the membership your deferred pension is based on. For nominated co-habiting partners the pension payable is equal to 1/160th of your final pay times your membership in the scheme after 5 April 1988 unless you have paid extra contributions to increase this. If you marry after you left local government employment your spouse's pension may be calculated differently. This pension is payable immediately after your death for the rest of their life and will increase every year in line with the cost of living.
- Child's pension - payable to 'eligible' children and increase every year in line with the cost of living for as long as the child remains eligible.
If you left employment before 1 April 2008 with deferred benefits and die before your deferred benefits come into payment, the following benefits are payable:
- Death Grant - a lump sum payment equal to your deferred lump sum (including pensions increase up to the date of your death) would be paid.
- Survivor's pension - in most cases, your husband or wife will receive a long-term pension of half of your deferred pension for the rest of their life. If you marry after you left local government employment your spouse's pension may be calculated differently. If you have a civil partner, a long-term pension will be payable (providing you left the LGPS on or after 1 April 1998). This will be calculated using your membership from 6 April 1988 only.
- Child's pension - payable to any 'eligible' children. The pension will increase every year in line with the cost of living for as long as the child remains eligible.
If you have not completed a death grant nomination form and you would like to do so or if you wish to revise your nomination please download and complete our Death Grant Nomination - form only[pdf - 27kb] or contact us if you need a form sending to your home address.
