Benefits payable on death depend on when the member left the scheme. The following table gives information about death grants and who could get a survivor's pension.
The actual calculation of a survivor's pension depends on multiple factors. In general terms up to 31 March 2008 a spouse's pension would be around half of the members and after that it would be 1/160 of the membership times final pay. The relevant regulations detail the calculations see link in table above in "about the scheme".
Death grant regulations | ||||
Regulations LGPS(S) | Death Grant payable if death in deferment | Death Grant payable if death of a pensioner | Death Grant payable if death in service | Survivor's pensions payable |
1987 | N/A | Widows and children's pensions payable only | ||
1998 Left scheme between 01/04/1998 & 31/03/2009 | Equivalent to the lump sum that would have been payable if not for death | 5 times the annual pension in payment less any pension paid out. | N/A | Widows, widowers based on post 5/4/88 membership (plus any pre 6/4/88 bought back), children's pensions. From 5/12/2005, civil partners based on post 5/4/88 membership (plus any pre 6/4/88 bought back |
2008 Left scheme between 01/04/2009 & 31/03/2015 | 5 times the retirement pension that would have been paid if not for death | 10 times the annual pension in payment less any pension paid out. | N/A | Widows, widowers, children's. Civil partners based on post 5/4/88 membership (plus any pre 6/4/88 bought back). Co-habiting partner's pensions based on post 5/4/88 membership (plus any pre 6/4/88 bought back) |
2014 Left scheme after 31/3/2015 | 5 times the retirement pension that would have been paid if not for death | 10 times the pre commutation pension less any commuted lump sum and any pension paid to the member. | 3 times actual annual pay based on average of last 3 months pay uprated to 12 months. | Widows, widowers, children's. Civil partners based on post 5/4/88 membership (plus any pre 6/4/88 bought back). Co-habiting partner's pensions based on post 5/4/88 membership (plus any pre 6/4/88 bought back) |
2018 Left scheme after 31/3/2015 | 5 times the retirement pension that would have been paid if not for death | 10 times the pre commutation pension less any commuted lump sum and any pension paid to the member. | 3 times actual annual pay based on average of last 3 months pay uprated to 12 months. | Widows, widowers, children's. Civil partners based on post 5/4/88 membership (plus any pre 6/4/88 bought back). Co-habiting partner's pensions based on post 5/4/88 membership (plus any pre 6/4/88 bought back) |