Nobody likes to think about what will happen if they pass away. Bringing up the subject of your death and who will benefit financially isn’t a conversation you’re likely to feel comfortable having. However, it is a topic you should not ignore.
The NHS pension scheme has been the subject of many significant changes over the last few years, so it’s vital to keep up to date with these developments.
Firstly, what are the basic NHS Death in Service benefits?
Some Death in Service payments are automatic, while others necessitate some form filling on your part.
The component parts of the NHS Death in Service are:
- A lump sum
- A short term 6 month pension
- Spouse/partner’s pension
- A dependent child’s pension
How much will my family receive?
This answer depends on which section of the NHS pension scheme you are in; 1995, 2008 or 2015 and whether you are an ‘Active’ or ‘Deferred Member’.
An ‘Active Member’ is someone currently contributing to the scheme, and a ‘Deferred Member’ is a former member who no longer contributes to the scheme, not eligible for a refund but not yet receiving their NHS pension.
For further details, take a look at the scheme booklet: NHS Pensions Survivors Guide >
Who can NHS pension scheme Death in Service benefits be paid to?
To benefit from Death in Service you could be:
- Widowers
- Civil Partners and Married Same Sex Partners
- Qualifying partners who have completed the NHSPS Partners Nomination form (PN1). Both partners must have completed the form and it has to have been submitted prior to death.
To be considered a qualifying partner, all the following conditions must be satisfied at the date of your death and have existed for a continuous period of at least two years:
- Neither person has a legal partner, i.e. a spouse or registered civil partner.
- They are not related to each other in a way which would prevent marriage or registered civil partnership.
- They live together in an exclusive relationship as if they were husband and wife or civil partners.
- One partner is financially dependent on the other, or they are financially interdependent on each other.
Essentially ‘qualifying partners’ in the 21st century get the same benefits as other legal partners. However, the qualifying partner does need to be nominated.
So, if you haven’t already completed the NHS pension scheme’s nomination of beneficiaries form (PN1) we strongly recommend doing so straightaway. It’s a simple job that could make all the difference.
Dependent children
As mentioned, independent ‘children’ can receive a pension. Generally, if a child is financially dependent and under 17 or over 17 but under 23 and is continuing in full-time education/training, or aged 17 and over and incapable of earning a living due to permanent physical or mental infirmity from which he/she was suffering at the time the member died then, they should qualify for a dependents pension.
Two children maximum, can be supported at any time in this way. Also, younger children will be supported as older ones cease to qualify.
As modern families have evolved, so have the definitions, including other possible child dependents, including not only your own biological children but also children of a civil partner, adopted children and even a niece or nephew.
See the NHS Pension Scheme’s Survivors Guide for full details. At least 2 years membership must have been completed for a dependent’s pension to be payable.
Increasing your pension and buying life protection
Don’t forget you can now buy Additional Pension to increase your NHS pension. You can also opt in or out of buying additional death or ill health pension benefits. However, this may have implications for your annual allowance and your lifetime allowance so always take advice before taking this route.
More changes on the horizon – The McCloud Remedy
Historically there have been differences across the different NHS pension schemes regarding Death in Service and Ill Health benefits, particularly how these benefits are paid out and how the benefit figure is calculated.
The much anticipated McCloud Remedy will have important implications for all scheme members and their beneficiaries. The government has yet to finalise the legislation ahead of retrospective changes, to be introduced by 1 October 2023.
As part of the McCloud Remedy the NHS pension schemes are prioritising cases of members who have passed away since April 2015. The beneficiaries in these cases will have a range of options to consider. Schemes should inform relevant family members where this is the case.*
What actually happens to my NHS pension benefits when I die?
- If you are working in pensionable NHS employment at the time of your death, your last employer will arrange completion of the appropriate application forms.
- It is important that someone notifies the scheme administrator as soon as possible of your death.
- Don’t forget, if you are a Locum at the time of death, things are not so straight forward. Read our blog: GP Locums: Will you get your death in service benefit? >
- The Death in Service lump sum needs to be paid within 2 years of the date the scheme administrator was first notified of your death. If not, a tax charge of up to 45% will be deducted from the lump sum payment.
NHS pension Death in Service benefits: Are they worth it?
These Death in Service benefits remain as valuable as ever. At a time when some medics question the value of their NHS pension membership, it’s easy to overlook the basics and forget how invaluable the financial support would be for your family if you passed away.
Ensure your loved ones are taken care of by taking them into account when reviewing your protection arrangements. Make sure your family is nominated correctly and don’t forget you can update your nominations easily if your life changes.
It is important financial matters are organised and steps are put in place to reduce the stress of death within the family unit. Getting your head around the NHS pension scheme and its benefits is not easy. Your Legal & Medical financial adviser can help make it less painful.
If you wish for more detail then you will find the members hub really useful. There you will find dedicated sections to death in service benefits.
If you need further information about making a claim then there is also assistance on their website.
Do you know who will get your NHS pension benefits when you die? Let us know by adding a comment below.
This article was first published in February 2019. It has been revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness. This article is not specific advice. We would always suggest that you get specialist advice in this area.
Hi my mum worked with the nhs when she past age 73 is she still intiteld to a pay out she was not in the pension
Hi Rita,
If your mother was not in the pension scheme then no pension or lump-sum retirement benefit would be payable. The only payout she may have been entitled to was a standard redundancy payment if she had been made redundant.
Best wishes,
Owen
Hi,
I’m trying to work out if I need additional cover or not. Been working for the NHS since 2014 and now earn 37k . If I passed away what monthly pension would this give my husband/child?
Thanks
Hi there,
Your spouse would receive a lump sum of twice your pensionable income as a lump sum and a pension. The pension would be half of what you are/were entitled to. For as long as your child is financially dependent (up until the age of 23) they would receive a quarter of the pension that you are/were entitled to.
I hope this helps,
Best wishes, Owen
Hi there,
He would be entitled to a lump sum in the event that you are still working. In the event that the pension had not been in payment for 5 years, there may be a residual lump sum payable. Your son would only be entitled to an ongoing pension in the event that he was incapable of supporting himself financially as a result of a medical condition.
I hope this help,
Kind regards, Owen
I am a male and my female partner has a NHS Pension. She is still married to another person. Can she leave her pension to me as she does not want it to go to her estranged husband?
Hi there
Unfortunately, the answer is “no” – she cannot leave the pension to you. Some rules need to be conformed to for a successful nomination of a beneficiary.
For a nominated qualifying partner nomination to succeed all the following conditions must be satisfied at the date of the member’s death and have existed for a continuous period of at least two years:
1) Neither person has a legal partner i.e. a spouse or registered civil partner.
2) They are not related to each other in a way which would prevent marriage or registered a civil partnership.
3) They are living together in an exclusive relationship as if they were husband and wife or civil partners.
4) One partner is financially dependent on the other or they are financially interdependent on each other.
I hope this helps.
Best wishes, Owen
Hi
I would like to know why the age of the dependent is limited to age 23 years ?
Does that mean that after this age they are not entitled to the death in service lump sum and who else can be nominated if you do not have a partner ?
The NHS pension benefits should be updated to reflect the growing number of staff who are single parents !
Hi there,
The dependents pension is limited to age 23 for children, although there are a few exceptions to the rule. We are not in a position to comment as to why they choose age 23. The death in service lump sum is something different and is payable whilst in service and you can nominate a beneficiary.
In defense of the NHS pension, they have moved with the times, although the speed at with which it moves is not as quick as many would like. You can nominate spousal ill-health pension if you are not married and fit their criteria.
I hope this helps
Best wishes,
Owen
My husband has just passed away at the age of 46. He has been paying into the NHS pension scheme since 2008. His manager has said I will not receive death in service lump sum unless he was contributing to a separate scheme over and above his NHS pension. His TRS shows a suggested sum that would be paid to me. All the information I have read suggests that as long he was paying into the pension scheme I will receive a lump sum. Please can you advise me
Hi Vikki,
May I firstly pass on my condolences, I am very sorry for your loss. You may find the survivor’s booklet that the NHS provides helpful – NHS Pension Survivors Guide.
I have no idea why your husband’s manager would suggest that no lump sum is payable unless your husband had been in ill-health retired for some time previous to his death. I assume that you know you are entitled to a Spouse Pension and in the event that you have children, they are entitled to a dependents pension (max 2 children covered.)
If you feel that you need further help do not hesitate to contact us
Best wishes, Owen
Hi, I worked in the NHS for 32years and get a good pension. I am now retired. I am divorced, and would like to know what happens to my NHS pension when I die, I don’t have a partner but have grown up family.
Thank you for any help you can give me.
Hi there
If you enter into a long-term relationship/re-marry then your new spouse would be eligible to receive up to half of your pension. I am assuming that your sons/daughters are not financially dependent and therefore they would not be entitled to a dependent’s pension.
If your situation remains as it is then when you die, the pension “dies” with you.
Best wishes, Owen
Many thanks for your reply. People I had worked with told me various things, thank you for giving me an acceptable answer.
Maggie Owen
My husband has just died , the HR said he’s entitled to death in service, he’s only been in the pension scheme for 5 years, does it mean he wouldn’t get much ?
Hi Joanne,
Firstly may I say how sorry I am to hear of your husband’s death.
You are entitled to a death in service lump sum payment. You are also entitled to a pension based on the pension benefits your husband would have been entitled to at the age of 65 (assuming your husband was in the 2015 section of the pension scheme). Therefore, the benefits could be significant. If you have children of a certain age, they are also entitled to a dependant’s pension. I would encourage you to meet a financial adviser – this is a very difficult time, but it is so important that you are aware of what you are entitled to, and then what to do with that entitlement.
Best wishes & all the best
Owen
Hi, this is really helpful thank you. Can I clarify – my partner works away for business and so has a studio flat rented near that business. We were living together and still think if our selves as doing so but I’m registered as sole tenant on mine and he on his. Makes sense for council tax and seemed to be reasonable in law. But, does that mean if he is registered at another address I can’t nominate him for the lump sum/dependent pension?
Hi there,
You can nominate who you wish for your lump sum.
Re: pension – you have to be considered as in a long term relationship which sounds like the case. So I can’t see any issues
Best wishes, Owen
My daughter died in service in 2014 she has along term partner.but did not sign a nomination form .I believe the law has changed now regarding long term partner.they can get a pension and it will be backdated to the the time my daughter died.
Hi Tony,
I am not aware of the ability to backdate a claim/start a claim. As I understand this situation is being looked into at the moment. I’ve attached the link to the NHS Pensions – Survivors Guide which clearly states the rules around nomination (pg 5) which, by the sounds of it, you are aware of.
Best wishes, Owen
Hi
I took flexible retirement at 55 years old and now pay into Nest pension so do I no longer qualify for death in service??
Hi Judith,
The NEST “pot” that you are developing would be paid out to your nominated beneficiary(s) in the event of your death before taking the proceeds. As you have already started to take your “main” NHS pension then there would be no associated Death-in-Service payment.
Best wishes, Owen
Hi,
I am a South African citizen living in South Africa. My mother passed on 23 July 2019, she was in service and had contributed to the NHS Pension for over 15 years. She is survived by 3 adult
Children all living in SA. To
Date we have been unsuccessful in trying to lodge a claim to the NHS. She had not nominated anyone on her pension.
What benefits would be available and what is the claim procedure.
Hi there,
You would likely be entitled to the Death-in-Service lump-sum payment from the NHS.
I’ve attached a link to the “survivor’s guide” (pg 4 & 5 are most relevant).
Best wishes, Owen
I have not been working for tge nhs for long (under 5 years) i earn 37,500 a year. I am considering buying extra life insurance but I have no idea what “pensionable income” would be in real terms. Is there a way of finding out exactly how much your loved ones would receive, as if this is at this stage quite measly I will take out something else, but i dont want to over do it.
Many thanks
Hi there,
I’ve attached The NHS Pension – Survivor’s Guide which gives a good breakdown of benefits payable in the event of your death.
Your pensionable income is usually shown on your payslip as an annual amount around the top right of your payslip. If you were working and contributing to the scheme at the time of death then this amount would be doubled and paid as a lump sum. This is a rough approximation and I would point you towards pg 7-12 of the survivor’s guide for a full explanation.
Dependants pensions would also be payable. These are also covered in the same pages.
I hope this helps,
Best wishes, Owen
Hi,
If I am married does my partner need to satisfy any further criteria (e.g. as qualifying partners do) to receive a death in service payment. For instance, if I am not living with my partner, or if this relationship is not a monogamous relationship.
Many thanks
Hi there,
Concerning the death in service payment, you can nominate anyone or any organisation. However, it may become subject to inheritance tax if it is not payable to a spouse or registered civil partner.
Best wishes, Owen
I am marrying my long term partner next year however my death in service nominees are my sons. Upon marriage will my ‘husband’ then automatically become the death in service beneficiary or will I have to change this?
thank you
Hi there,
In my opinion, you would have to change this. The trustees of the scheme, in the event of a claim arising, would see a lack of change as a positive decision made by yourself to not change the nomination, in spite of getting married.
Best wishes, Owen
Hi
I previously work in the NHS for 25 years and paid into the pension scheme for at least 20 years. I have recently left and now work for the local Aut. What happened to my NHS pension. Will I still be getting a lump sum payment when I am due to retire in about 15 years.
Hi there
It sounds like you will have been a member of the 1995 pension scheme. Therefore, you can access your NHS Pension without an “actuarial” reduction at age 60. You are currently a deferred member of the pension scheme. I’ve attached a link to a scheme membership booklet to help you further.
Scheme Guide – NHS Pension Scheme
I hope this helps.
Best wishes, Owen
IF I DO NOT NOMINATE MY LIVE IN PARTNER OF 6 YEARS ON FORM PN1 DOES THAT MEAN NO ONE GETS MY PENSION? I HAVE 2 GROWN UP CHILDREN NOMINATED FOR EQUAL SHARE OF THE DEATH IN SERVICE LUMP SUM ON DB2.
ARE THE PENSION AND DEATH IN SERVICE LUMP SUM COMPLETELY SEPERATE, DOES NOMINATING MY PARTNER FOR MY PENSION AFFECT THE AMOUNT OF LUMP SUM THE CHILDREN WOULD GET.
Hi there,
Its always best practice to nominate someone for your pension, otherwise, in the event of death, you leave your intended beneficiary in a situation where he/she has to potentially “prove” a relationship with you so that a pension can be paid
Nominating your partner won’t affect the payment for the lump sum. But, again, I would ensure that your wishes for whom benefits should be payable to are explicit.
I’ve attached a link to help you: The NHS Pension – Survivors Guide
Best wishes, Owen
Hi,
I wonder if you can help? My mum sadly passed away last month. She was working full time and paying into a NEST pension. Do you know if she’s entitled to death in service and how much NEST pay out? Many thanks
Hi, there
Firstly so sorry for your loss. There is an entitlement to the value of the fund built up but no death-in-service. Sorry.
Best wishes, Owen
Hi Owen, thank you for the reply,so if I do not nominate my partner for my pension, he is the only one who can then go on to prove a relationship, it doesn’t go to the estate?
thanks
Hi there,
If you’ve nominated him and the relationship is essentially a long term type relationship (whilst accepting that some long-term relationships/marriages end up being short term(!)) then the lump sum would be payable to your partner NOT your estate.
Best wishes, Owen
Hi im an nhs frontline worker since 11/2014 and have just lossed my disabled husband not employed but on longterm sick. due to covid-19 is there any for claim me to make for his death
Hi there,
Firstly, we are so sorry for your loss. If I understand your position correctly:
You are a front line worker, who has lost her unemployed disabled husband, and asking if you have any entitlement to some sort of death in service. The short answer is “no” I’m afraid.
We wish you all the best.
Best wishes, Owen
Hi I have a partner ( ten years +) however I have nominated my 3 adult children on DB2 form to revive my pension is this just the death in service part ? And is this guaranteed they will receive this
Hi there
The nomination will be in respect of the lump sum only. Your children cannot receive a proportion of your pension unless financial dependency can be proved as a result of an ongoing medical condition that leaves them unable to provide for themselves.
If you have nominated your children as the beneficiaries, then it is unlikely that the scheme trustees would not payout the lump sum to them.
Best wishes, Owen
Hi,
Do you know who is allowed to witness your DB2 etc, forms? It states ‘solicitor, magistrate, religious leader, etcetc …or any registered UK voter’ .But do they still have to be part of their list of professionals & be a UK voter, or could it just be say a neighbour, friend, etc (nobody related to or beneficiary of obviously) who is a ‘UK voter’ but not a particular professional ?? It’s really unclear what they mean! Due to the current pandemic I don’t feel there’s any way I can risk going into any official premises to get it witnessed. (But I don’t want it to be discounted/unauthorised by the NHS i.e voided if I’ve picked the incorrect witness). Thanks very much
Hi there,
I would suggest giving the NHS pensions section a call on 0300 330 1346 and confirm with them who can witness the forms.
Best wishes, Owen
Can I increase my NHS death in service payout by increasing contributions?
Hi there
The short answer is “no”.
Your death in service payment is based upon your superannuated pay. You can increase the level of dependant’s pension by increasing the value of your own pension benefits through “additional pension” in the event of your death, your dependants are entitled to a pension which would be larger if you had been buying extra pension.
Best wishes, Owen
My mother passed away in April, she was divorced and had two grown up children- would we not be entitled to the death in service lump sum if she hadn’t signed the form mentioned above? How would we know if she signed it or not? Thanks
Hi there
I can’t really answer unless I know whether if your Mother was still working in the NHS, or not working and claiming a pension, and if this was the case, how long her pension had been in payment. Please feel free to contact me directly with more information, and I will do my best to answer your question.
Best wishes, Owen
Hi my partners best mate passed away 21/03/2020.
She has 2 twin daughters aged 23. Are they entitled to her death in service payment after 37 years as a grade 4 District nurse for NHS.
There seems to be a bit of a disagreement as to what if any they are entitled to.
Hi John,
Assuming the girls were nominated beneficiaries, then they would be entitled to a death in service payment (assuming their mother was still working at the time of death.). They wouldn’t be entitled to a pension because only the legal spouse partner can receive a pension in the event of the death of a member of the pension scheme.
Any payment of lump-sum hinges on whether the mother was in work or not and claiming a pension or not.
Best wishes, Owen
My wife recently passed away after working for the NHS since 1971.
She had contributed to the 1995 pension scheme in full for 42 years, and returned to her job for another 3 years on the Retire and Return Option, giving her a total of 45 years in frontline service.
NHS Pensions have informed me that, because she is a woman, and because she made pension contributions before 6 April 1998, they will not pay a penny of those 17 years in the Adult Dependent benefit pension. However, they have confirmed that if she were a man, they would pay it all, in full – The NHS only penalise their female staff.
Is this discrimination legal?
Are the NHS allowed to ignore 17 years worth of my wife’s hard earned contributions and keep the money themselves?
Hi Robert,
Firstly, please accept my sincerest condolences. This is not how later life is meant to be for anyone! Let alone for those people who have given so much to others during their working lives. I therefore completely understand how your frustration/anger may be all the more pronounced.
However, please understand this is not the NHS discriminating; pubic sector pension schemes all have something similar in place, in that widower’s benefits do/did not reflect service that their deceased spouse had achieved before 1988. This situation is constantly being challenged, not only on behalf of those affected in the NHS but also those in the Teachers pension scheme.
To date, the situation, unfortunately, remains the same but I have read that the Teachers Union has been able to effect a change of direction from the Department of Education: Full equalisation of survivor benefits in the Teachers’ Pension Scheme achieved.
I can’t say that this will definitely happen in the NHS pension scheme but there have been many examples lately, where a change to one public sector scheme, has then resulted in changes to other schemes. Unfortunately for you, we will have to wait and see if something similar materialises within the NHS pension scheme.
Once again, please accept my deepest sympathies and I do hope the above will help you to appreciate that it is not the organisation that your wife worked for, for so long, that is discriminatory but rather, historical legislation. However, there are signs of positive “movement” which we can only hope effects some changes in the near future.
Best wishes, Owen
Hi my wife has worked for nhs for over 25yrs . She had opted out of the nhs pension is she entitled to any kind of death in service . A lot of people have said she is ?
Hi there
Her beneficiaries would be entitled to a dependants pension in the event of her death based on the value of the pension that she has built up.
Best wishes, Own
My husband passed away on 28th March this year I have received his death in service pensions do I have to declare this or is there a maximum amount I can receive before declaring it to the tax office
Hi there
I am sorry to hear this. Basic rate tax should be taken “at source”. If you are a higher rate tax-payer as a result of this income, and any other income, then you should complete a self-assessment form.
I hope this helps!
Best wishes, Owen
Hi Owen, Hope you are well. May I ask is Death in Service Benefit only valid whilst in service or can nominees receive DIS benefit after one retires and subsequently passes away?
Hi there
A Death in Service lump sum is payable whilst in service only. However, if an individual member passes away relatively soon after starting to take pension benefits, then a lump sum may become payable. Here is a link to the member’s guide (page 40 onwards is the appropriate section).
I hope this helps
Best wishes, Owen
My mum passed away about a month ago, she said she was nominating me for her pension, she died in service and was only 52. She had 2 pensions and was paying into them from 2008. My dads been contacted about the short term help he’ll receive, but I’ve not heard anything myself. How do I find out if I’m nominated will they contact me automatically or can he stop it?
Hi there
I am sorry to hear of the passing of your mother. You potentially have eligibility for an NHS dependents pension if you are under age 23, but unlikely if you are older than this. You should contact the pensions agency if in doubt, or the following link will take you to the booklet (page 38 has the details).
NHS Pension Scheme – Guide for members >
I hope this helps.
Best wishes, Owen
With the NHS Death in Service and Pension benefits, Is it an either or situation between surviving spouse and dependants. Or is it that they are all entitles to survivors pensions (which would seem very generous)
Hi there
A spouse/long-term partner is entitled to half of the individual’s NHS pension at the time of death. In addition, dependents (up until the age of 23) are entitled to a quarter of the pension, up to a maximum of 2 claimants at any one time.
I hope this helps.
Best wishes, Owen
My mother sadly passed away in October. She had been contributing to NHS Pensions since 2016.
I am now of legal age (37)and I’m seeking information about the possibility of claiming a lump sum from her NHS Pensions.
Hi there,
The lump sum would likely be paid to your Mother’s estate. If you were nominated as a beneficiary the lump sum would still form part of your Mother’s estate, but you would be the beneficiary. If that is not the case then it is likely to be added to the estate where inheritance tax may then have to be considered and other beneficiaries
I’ve attached the members guide for further reading NHS Pensions Survivors Guide (nhsbsa.nhs.uk)
I hope this helps,
Best wishes, Owen
Hi, my mum passed away whilst working for the NHS however she had opted out of the pension scheme, I believe there is something in her pot. I’ve got two younger sisters 16 and 18 in full time education. Are they entitled to anything?
Hi there,
Your mum is referred to as a “Deferred Member”. Your sisters are entitled to financial help whilst still in Full-Time education up to the age of 23.
I’ve attached a link to the members’ benefits booklet. NHS Pensions Survivors Guide (nhsbsa.nhs.uk) Call the NHS pensions service, and they will start the process of helping you.
I hope this helps.
Best wishes, Owen
I’ve worked in NHS for 24 years and contributed to pension scheme since 2000.
I am single with a 12 year old son and no other family to speak of .
Can I nominate my son to receive my death in pension sum ?
Hi Martha,
Thank you for your message. Yes, you can nominate your son to receive your death in pension sum.
Best wishes, Owen
Hi I am an nhs worker of 20yrs. My pension is over 2008,1995 and 2015. I can see it is now split part CARE.
I am 61 and considering partial retirement. If I just take my 2008, 1995 elements what happens to my death in service payment! Does this remain as twice my earnings? Thanks
Hi there
Yes as long as you continue to contribute to the 2015 scheme – DIS is twice earnings. Retaking 2008 – under McCloud, you may well be offered the opportunity to have service deemed as all accruing in the 1995 scheme. As the ’95 scheme has a normal retirement age (NRA) of 60 and 2008 is 65, then this may be a better approach than taking benefits from 2008, now, 4 years before the NRA (age 65). NHS pensions should give you the option of what the benefits are if all are taken under 1995 or part ’95 and part 2008.
I hope this helps,
Best wishes, Owen
My husband passed away while off work sick! He has worked for NHS for 32years He was 3months short of his pension to opt back in. I now receive Jimo nh monthly! He died while in service Can you please confirm if this is correct? that he worked for 32years and treated so bad! Thank you! I feel so very disappointed and think all Employees should be reminded so it can not happen to anyone again!
Hi there
Sorry for your loss, the last thing you need is money worries. You should have received a death in service lump sum because he was in service. You should also be able to receive a dependent’s pension based on the number of years of service that your husband was a member of the scheme.
Here is a link to the scheme booklet for further information but I think the most pertinent paragraph for you is as follows:
Cash lump sum on death
If you die before retiring or within five years of your retirement, a lump-sum death benefit may be due. This one-time lump sum will be paid directly into the bank account of your legal spouse or civil partner unless you’ve nominated someone else to receive it via the Death Benefit Nomination Form >.
The amount payable will depend on a range of factors, but the amount of retirement benefits that have already been received up to the date of death will be taken into account. If you had already retired and chose to exchange some of your pension for a larger lump sum when you finished work, it may be that no further lump sum is available.
If a death benefit lump sum is due, it must be paid by the scheme administrator within two years, or it will attract a tax charge of up to 45%.
Finally, I would suggest that you make contact with an IFA that specialises in the NHS – whether this is Legal & Medical or another company, I feel it would be worthwhile.
Best wishes, Owen
Hi, my mother passed away last June and was an NHS employee as a receptionist in a health centre, she worked there for 20+ years. However she had been off on long term sick due to ill health, we have just received a lump sum payment of £10,573 pound and a yearly pension of £1800 I am wondering if this would be correct? Or if this could be wrong due to anything to do with the mccloud remedy?
Thanks
Hi there
Your Mother’s pension is based on her service and level of superannuated (pensionable) income. We would need to know this, to have an idea about the size of the prospective pension. In what capacity are you receiving the pension? You say “We have just received a lump sum payment of £10,573 and a yearly pension of £1800”.
Is the pension being paid to you, as a daughter, or to the spouse/partner of your Mother? Depending on this answer, then there may need to be a recalculation.
I’ve attached the scheme booklet > to give you more information. Feel free to contact me again with further answers/questions.
Best wishes, Owen
My wife recently passed away and was receiving her nhs pension,
I am applying for probate for her bank accounts.
Can I claim her pension without probate I am named as sole beneficiary in her will.
Hi there
I am sorry for your loss – it must be a difficult time. I have attached a link to the NHS Survivors Guide > which gives you the information you need to make a claim for a spousal pension. My feeling is that the NHS will start to pay the pension quickly and possibly without Probate as you are the Member’s spouse.
I hope this help.
Best wishes, Owen
Best wishes, Owen