Death of a deferred member
There may be benefits due to your loved ones if you die after you retire. These benefits can include one or more of:
- A lump sum death grant
- Survivors’ pensions to a spouse, civil partner or co-habiting partner
- Children’s pension
Survivors’ pensions are paid monthly.
Lump-sum death grant
The lump-sum death grant is a one-off payment. You can choose who you’d like to receive your death grant. But, payment is decided by the fund, although we’ll be guided by your wishes. Your death grant doesn’t form part of your estate.
For members leaving on or after 1 April 2008
If you left on or after 1 April 2008, the death grant would be five times your deferred pension, as well as any pension increases since the date you left.
For members leaving before 1 April 2008
If you left the LGPS before 1 April 2008, the death grant would be three times your deferred pension, as well as any pension increases since the date you left.
Still paying in to the LGPS?
If you’re currently paying into to the LGPS in another job or pension fund, any death grant due is limited to the greater of either the death in service grant or the death grant from your deferred pension (or multiple deferred pensions).
Survivors’ pensions
A survivors’ pension may be due to your loved ones. This depends on your scheme membership.
Spouse's (from opposite and same sex marriages)
Membership from 1 April 2014 = 1/160th of the pay you received in each year, plus a proportion of any transfer rights.
Membership up to 31 March 2014 = 1/160th of your final pay times your membership up to 31 March (the membership upon which your deferred benefit is based).
However, if you married after leaving the LGPS:
- Membership is from 6 April 1978 (or when you joined the LGPS if later) for widows from opposite sex marriages
- Membership is from 6 April 1988 (or when you joined the LGPS if later) for widowers of an opposite sex marriage.
- Membership is from 6 April 1978 (or when you joined the LGPS if later) for widows or widowers of a same sex marriage.
Civil partners
Membership from 1 April 2014 = 1/160th of the pay you received in each year, plus a proportion of any transfer rights.
Membership up to 31 March 2014 = 1/160th of your final pay times your membership up to 31 March (the membership upon which your deferred benefit is based).
However, if you entered into a same sex civil partnership after leaving the LGPS, membership is from 6 April 1978 (or when you joined the LGPS if later). If you entered into an opposite sex civil partnership after leaving the LGPS, membership is from 6 April 1978 for a female surviving partner, or from 6 April 1988 for a male surviving partner (or when you joined the LGPS if later).
Eligible Cohabiting partner (same or opposite sex)
For a cohabiting partner to get a survivor's pension, you must have paid into the LGPS on or after 1 April 2008. Your relationship has to meet certain conditions laid down by the LGPS.
Membership from 1 April 2014 = 1/160th of the pay you received in each year, plus a proportion of any transfer rights.
Membership up to 31 March 2014 - 1/160th of your final pay times your membership from 6 April 1988* (or when you joined the LGPS if later) up to 31 March.
*If you paid additional contributions to make membership before 6 April 1988 count towards the calculation of a cohabiting partner's pension, this is included. You must have made this election before 1 April 2014.
Children’s pensions
If you die leaving one or more eligible children, they may get a pension, if they fall within the definition of an 'eligible' child.
If a survivors' pension is being paid to a spouse, civil partner or eligible cohabiting partner:
Where there’s one eligible child:
- 1/320th of the pay you received in each year plus a proportion of any transfer rights for any service after 1 April 2014.
plus
- 1/320th of your final pay times your membership (on which your deferred benefits is based) in the scheme up to 31 March 2014.
Where there is more than one eligible child:
- 1/160th of the pay you received in each year plus a proportion of any transfer rights for any service after 1 April 2014.
plus
- 1/160th of your final pay times your membership (on which your deferred benefits is based) in the scheme up to 31 March 2014.
If no survivors' pension is being paid to a spouse, civil partner or eligible cohabiting partner:
Where there’s one eligible child:
- 1/240th of the pay you received in each year plus a proportion of any transfer rights for any service after 1 April 2014.
plus
- 1/240th of your final pay times your membership (on which your deferred benefits is based) in the scheme up to 31 March 2014.
Where there is more than one eligible child:
- 1/120th of the pay you received in each year plus a proportion of any transfer rights for any service after 1 April 2014.
plus
- 1/120th of your final pay times your membership (on which your deferred benefit is based) in the scheme up to 31 March 2014.
How to tell us about a death
You must tell us about a member’s death as soon as possible so we can work out what benefits are due. If you're telling us about a death, we need to know:
- Full name and address of the member
- The date of death and where the death was registered
- Reference number such as national insurance number or payroll number
- Full name and address of the next of kin and a phone number.
We'll write to the next of kin and ask to see the death certificate. We may also ask for information about marital status and ‘eligible’ children.
When we know who should get a survivors pension and/or death grant, the benefits will be worked out and paid.