Death Benefits

We may pay a pension for life to your spouse or civil partner. Whether or not your spouse or civil partner is eligible will depend on whether you paid towards a spouse’s pension through family benefit contributions. You can find out if you’ve paid family benefit contributions by contacting the administrator. 

When you die, your spouse can choose whether to get a regular income or a one-off lump sum. They cannot change their mind. However, if they choose the lump sum and you were entitled to a Guaranteed Minimum Pension (GMP) as part of your pension, they will get a GMP income as well as the lump sum.

If they choose the lump sum, it will be tax-free if you die before you’re 75 years old. If you die after you're 75 years old, the lump sum will be taxed.

If you’re not married but are living with your partner and you provide some financial support to them, we might be able to pay them an adult dependant pension. This will be at the Trustees' discretion.

We might be able to pay benefits to children if they are:

• under 18
• over 18 and in full time education 
• dependent on you due to illness or disability

If you die before you start taking your Scheme pension, or within 5 years of taking it, we may be able to pay out a lump sum. This is separate to the lump sum your spouse can choose to get when you die.

Who can get the lump sum, and how much they get, will depend on your circumstances. There is no lump sum payable if you have been receiving your Scheme pension for more than 5 years.

You can tell us who you’d like the lump sum to go to by filling in a Death Benefit Election & Declaration Form, also known as the Rule 28A form. The Trustees will decide who the lump sum is paid to, taking into account your wishes. It’s important to keep this form up to date so it reflects your wishes.

The lump sum is paid tax free if you complete the Rule 28A form. Otherwise it will be paid to your estate, and may be subject to inheritance tax.