If you left service before 1 April 2009 and die with deferred payments still waiting, the lump sum you were due will be paid to your nominee as a death grant.
If you left service after 31 March 2009, the lump sum will be 5 times the annual pension you have built up.
Make sure you’ve nominated someone to receive this payment or it may be subject to inheritance taxes or be delayed. You can move this forward online using our form.
Widow’s, widower’s, civil partner and nominated cohabiting partner pensions
A long-term widow’s, widower’s, civil partner’s or (provided you left after 31 March 2009) nominated cohabiting partner's survivor's pension will be payable if you were married or in the partnership before you deferred your pension.
Survivor's pensions are paid automatically except in the case of nominated cohabiting partners where a nomination form must have been completed. To download a nominated cohabiting partner's form click here: NCP.
Survivor's pensions increase every year in line with the cost of living.
Survivor’s pensions are 1/160 of your pensionable pay per year of service.
Widowers, nominated cohabiting partners and civil partners will receive a pension based on your membership after 5 April 1988.
Widowers may also receive a pension based on your membership before 5 April 1988 if you chose to provide a widower’s pension at that time.
Please see A Guide to the Local Government Pension Scheme to find out what happens if your partner remarries.
Children’s pensions
A long-term children’s pension will be payable for as long as children remain eligible. This pension increases every year in line with the cost of living.
Please see A Guide to the Local Government Pension Scheme for more details.
If you die after retiring
If you left service before 1 April 2009 and die after retiring on pension, your benefits will no longer be payable. A lump sum death grant is payable if you die within five years of retiring. What is left of your first five years’ pension will be paid in one lump sum. These amounts/periods will be doubled if you left service after 31 March 2009.
Some short and long term widow’s, widower’s, nominated cohabiting partner's or civil partner’s pension may also be due. See death benefits and procedures in the pensioner member section of this site for more details.
More information
You can download A Guide to the Local Government Pension Scheme, with full details of all the features and how to take advantage of them, to print out and read when you want. If you would rather receive a copy by post, contact us.
If you’ve got further questions, visit the deferred member frequently asked questions page of this site.