Your family are protected should you die in service if you are a member of the Strathclyde Pension Fund. Depending on the situation, a lump sum death grant may be payable, as well as a widow’s, widower’s or civil partner’s pension. Your children are also protected up to a certain age.
To protect your family, make sure you have nominated someone to receive the death grant which may be payable.
If you fail to nominate someone, 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 Local Government Pension Scheme 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 Local Government Pension Scheme, the following benefits may be available:
A lump sum of at least two (increasing to three on 1 April 2009) times your final pay is payable no matter how long you’ve been a member of the Local Government Pension Scheme. For part-time workers, your pay is not increased to the full time equivalent.
- Widow’s, widower’s or civil partner’s pension
If you die before 31 March 2009, a short term pension equal to your final pay is paid to your widow, widower or civil partner for three months following your death. For part-time workers this is not increased to the full time equivalent. If your partner is caring for any children (eligible under the terms of the pension) the pension is paid for six months.
If you’ve been a member for two years or more, a long term pension may be payable after this. For full details see A Guide to the Local Government Pension Scheme
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. To find out how your children’s pensions will be calculated, see A Guide to the Local Government Pension Scheme.
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 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 employee member frequently asked questions page of this site.