It is essential that the Pension Section is notified of a member’s death as quickly as possible to avoid an overpayment of pension.
When the Section is contacted, it would be helpful if the following information was available:
- Full name and address of the deceased
- The date of death
- Reference number such as National Insurance number or Pension number
- Full name and address of the Next of Kin and a contact telephone number
The Section will then establish what benefits are payable. They usually consist of one or more of the following:
- A Lump Sum Death Grant – payable if the death occurs within the first 5 years of retirement. The amount payable is five times your annual pension less the amount of pension already paid to you up to the date of death.
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.
- A survivor’s pension, payable to a widow, widower or registered civil partner.
A short-term pension at an annual rate equal to the pension you were receiving or would have received but for a reduction as a result of early retirement. 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 were receiving or would have received but for a reduction as a result of early retirement.
Please note:
- If you married after retirement, and you retired on the grounds of permanent ill health, the widow’s/widower’s pension will not include any ill health enhancement awarded.
- 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.
