If you die in office as a member of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), subject to the qualifying conditions detailed, the following benefits will become payable:
- A Lump sum death grant, equal to two times your Career Average Pay, regardless of how long you have been a member of the LGPS.
In the event of your death, the CCS Pension Fund will be guided by any nomination, however retains the absolute discretion to decide to whom and in what proportions any lump sum death grant payable under the LGPS regulations should be paid.
If you have not named a beneficiary, or wish to update the details held, you can download a Death Grant Expression of Wish Form. Details of your named beneficiary will be included on your annual benefit statement and it is important that this is checked and kept up to date.
- A survivor’s pension, payable to a widow, widower or registered civil partner.
A short-term pension at an annual rate equal to your career average pay will be paid for 3 months. If there are eligible, dependent children, this pension will be payable for 6 months.
After 3 months/6 months, a long-term pension is payable for life, broadly equal to half of the pension you would have received if you had retired due to ill health on the date of death.
Please note, the LGPS regulations to not allow for a pension to be paid to a nominated co-habiting partner under the Councillor’s scheme.
- Children’s pensions are also payable if you have any eligible children.
The amount payable depends on the number of children you have, and is payable in equal shares on behalf of each eligible child.
A child is considered eligible if he or she is wholly or mainly dependent on you at the date of your death and is:
- less than 18 years of age
- has reached the age of 18 but has not reached the age of 23 and is in full time education or undertaking vocational training
- is defined as disabled within the meaning of the Equality Act 2010
The amount of benefit payable to an eligible child can be affected by any earnings they receive over a certain level whilst on an approved training course.
The pension is payable for as long as the child(ren) remain eligible.
