Survivor benefits
Depending on your circumstances the scheme can provide a lump sum death payment and survivor's pensions.
Lump sum death grant
If you die in service, there is usually a one-off lump sum death grant payable to your next of kin. This is calculated as three times your annual pensionable pay. However, this may not be the case where a member has multiple pensions within the LGPS.
You can nominate anyone to receive these funds by submitting an Expression of Wish form.
Although we have final say on whom to pay the funds to, we do usually pay the funds to the people that you ask us to.
Survivor's pension
On your death, pensions will be paid to your:
- Eligible dependent children.
- Your partner, be this a spouse, civil partner, or, if certain conditions are met, eligible cohabiting partner.
The amount of pension is based on how long you were in the scheme, your pay when you retired, and any dependants you leave. The pension will be payable for life to your husband/wife or your civil partner or your cohabiting partner even if they remarry.
Please note, if you got married after you retired, not all your membership may count towards a pension for your husband or wife, civil partner or cohabiting partner.
The amount of a survivor's pension depends on a number of factors.
Calculating the amount of survivor's pension
For a spouse, civil partner, or cohabiting partner
- 1/160 of your pensionable pay multiplied by the total membership built up at your date of leaving.
Death in service also includes an enhancement up to the member’s normal pension age.
Please note that only your membership from 6 April 1988 is used for cohabiting partners. 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 dependent children
Please note that if there is more than one dependent child, they will share the pension equally. Children’s pensions are usually paid up until they reach age 18, or age 23 if they remain in full time education.
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 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 you would have built up to your Normal Pension Age.
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 you would have built up to your Normal Pension Age.
