What happens if I die after I have left the scheme? (DB Schemes, SHPS and SHAPS)

If you die after leaving the scheme, but before you start receiving your pension (and before you reach Normal Retirement Age) the benefits payable are:

Lump sum

A refund of your own contributions with interest to the date of death will be payable unless you were a member of a salary sacrifice arrangement. If this is the case, there will be no refund of contributions for the period of time that you were in this arrangement, as all the contributions the scheme received were from your employer.

Survivor’s pension

50% of your deferred pension at the date of your death. If you were in the scheme before 6 April 2016, you may have been ‘Contracted-out’ of the Additional State Pension. If you were Contracted-out for service before 6 April 1997, there will be a Guaranteed Minimum Pension (GMP) which will be paid to your legal spouse, if you have one.

You should note that, except for legal spouses, it will be necessary for the Trustee to get confirmation that the nominee for a survivor’s pension is eligible at the date of a member’s death. Please have a look at your scheme guide for members as this will provide more information to you.

Children’s pensions

12.5% of your deferred pension (calculated at the date of your death) would be paid to each of up to four eligible dependent children. For further information regarding the eligibility criteria for child’s pensions, please refer to your scheme guide for members.

You should note that the payment of death benefits is at the discretion of the Trustee. To help them understand your wishes it is important that your nominees are kept up to date by updating your details in DB Online or completing and returning a Nomination Form.