The death of someone close is always a stressful time and it will be helpful if your next of kin knows what will happen to your BCSSS benefits in the event of your death.

If you are a former contributor, a widow/er or dependant’s pension may be payable and there may also be an entitlement to children’s allowances. If you die within the first few years of your pension starting a lump sum may be payable. There is no further entitlement to benefit on the death of a beneficiary who is in receipt of a widow/er or dependant’s pension or child allowance.

The most important first step when a beneficiary dies is for the Scheme’s administration office to be notified of the death as soon as is practical. This can be done in writing or by telephone. Administration office staff will need information about the deceased and about the next of kin. They will write to the next of kin, usually with a week.

The administration office has a duty to recover any overpayment of pension paid in respect of the period after the date of death.

The circumstances of each case may vary, but if a widow/er or dependant’s pension is being claimed, the applicant will be asked to complete a claim form, and also to send a copy of the Death Certificate. If it has not previously been seen, a Marriage Certificate may also be requested. If an adult dependant’s pension is being claimed, administration office staff will contact the claimant to discuss the claim.