What happens if I die? | Changes to my circumstances | I haven’t taken my pension

If you die before you take your pension, your beneficiaries may be entitled to receive benefits from the Scheme.

What’s paid to your beneficiaries will depend on the Scheme Rules in force on the date you stopped earning benefits, but they would normally include:

Spouse or Civil Partner's Pension

A spouse or civil partner’s pension payable for life, which amounts to two thirds of your pension at the date of death. This pension is reduced if your spouse or civil partner is:

More than 10 years younger than you; and
The marriage or civil partnership took place after you left employment, or if earlier, you started to receive a pension

Dependant's Pension

A dependant’s pension, if you are not married or in a civil partnership and you have someone who is financially dependent on you. It is paid at the Trustee’s discretion and will be no more than two thirds of your pension at the date of your death.

The Trustee will assess whether a dependant qualifies in line with criteria set out in the Scheme Rules.
The Trustee may stop or reduce a dependant’s pension.
If you stopped earning benefits and left before 1 December 1994 and you die before taking your pension then no dependant’s pension is payable.

Children's Pensions

Children’s pensions (if any children qualify) up to age 16 or 21, if in full time education or training approved by the Trustee. However, if you stopped earning benefits and left before 1 April 1982 and you die before taking your pension then no children’s pensions are payable.

There are no lump sum benefits payable from the Scheme if you die before you take your pension.

You should contact the Pensions Administration Team to find out which benefits apply to you.

This information is intended as a guide only and is based on existing Scheme Rules and legislation at the time of publication. It does not create a legal right to certain benefits in the Scheme. The Scheme Rules may be amended from time to time and benefits payable to your beneficiaries will depend on the Scheme Rules in force on the date you left service. In all cases, the Scheme Rules will override any information provided on this site.