Death benefits.

The Scheme provides security not just for you, but also your family or financial dependents in the event of your death.

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

MS_death benefits_spouseSpouse or civil partners pension

This is payable for life and 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

MS_death benefits_dependentsDependants pension

This is paid to someone who is financially dependent on you if you’re not married or in a civil partnership. 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.

Children’s pensions

MS_death benefits_childrenChildrens pensions

These are payable to children up to age 16, or 21 if the child is in full time education or training approved by the Trustee.

If you’re receiving your pension and you die within five years of your retirement date, a lump sum of the remaining payments for the five-year period will also be payable. You can fill out a Nomination Form to let the Trustee know who you would like any lump sum death benefits to go to. Just log in to the M&S Pension Scheme Portal. You can also request a form from the Pensions Administration Team or download a form here.

Please be aware

If you’re not receiving your pension and you die before taking your pension, you should be aware the following benefits are not payable if you stopped earning benefits and left:

  • before 1 December 1994 - children's pensions are only payable until age 16, no dependant's pension is payable
  • before 1 April 1982 - no children’s pensions are payable

You should contact the Pensions Administration Team to find out which benefits apply to you. If you’re receiving a spouse’s or dependant’s pension, your beneficiaries are not entitled to receive any benefits from the Scheme upon your death.

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.

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