Your loved ones are protected should you die in service if you are a member of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
Depending on the situation, a lump sum death grant may be payable, as well as a widow’s, widower’s, nominated cohabiting partner's or civil partner’s pension. Your qualifying children are also protected.
To protect your loved ones, make sure you have filled in the correct nomination forms.
If you fail to nominate someone for any lump sum death benefit, it might take longer for the payment to be made. The person receiving the lump sum might also have to pay inheritance tax if they’ve not been nominated using the form. If you marry or enter a new civil partnership, any nomination form you’ve previously filled in will be ignored, so you’ll need to fill in a new one.
You can download the nomination form here.
In the new LGPS it will also be possible to nominate a cohabiting partner for a survivor's pension and you can download the NCP form here.
Death in service
If you die in service as a member of the LGPS, the following benefits may be available:
A lump sum of three times your final pay is payable no matter how long you’ve been a member of the LGPS. For part-time workers, your pay is not increased to the full time equivalent.
- Widow’s, widower’s, nominated cohabiting partner's or civil partner’s pension
From 1 April 2009, a long term pension of 1/160 times your actual and prospective pensionable service may be payable.
Children’s pensions
If you have children, they will be paid a pension on your death no matter how long you’ve been a member of the scheme. This pension will continue until they are not considered eligible any more.
If you die after retiring
If you die after retiring on pension, your benefits will no longer be payable. A lump sum death grant is payable if you were in service up to 31 March 2009 and die within five years of retiring. What is left of your first five years’ pension will be paid in one lump sum. If you were in service on 1 April 2009 these amounts/periods are doubled.
Some short and long term widow’s, widower’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 LGPS, with full details of membership of the LGPS and how to take advantage, 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 employee member frequently asked questions page of this site.