NHS Pension Scheme: Death on Pension Factsheet

If you are informed that a Scheme pensioner has died, please ask the informant to write to Paymaster as they administer death on pension benefits. Overview - Benefits payable when a pensioner dies
If a Scheme pensioner dies within 5 years of retirement a Death Gratuity Deficiency payment may be applicable. The deficiency payment is equal to 5 times the yearly rate of the pension, less the amount of pension already paid, BUT shall not exceed an amount equal to twice the members final actual pensionable or reckonable pay, LESS an amount equal to the aggregate of the members retirement lump sum and any amount which the member chose to take as a lump sum in exchange for part of their pension. Where there is a surviving partner and the pensioner was married, formed a civil partnership or had made a valid partner nomination before retirement, Paymaster will pay an initial surviving partner pension for 6 months from the day after the date of death, at the same rate of pension the member was receiving at the day they died. This will be followed by a continuing surviving partner pension. If there are dependent children a continuing child allowance may also be payable.

What happens when Paymaster are informed of the death of a Scheme pensioner?
When informed of the death of a Scheme pensioner, Paymaster may send a claim form to the informant for the survivor pension to be claimed. Paymaster will notify NHS Pensions of the death of the pensioner on form D6 so the members record can be updated. NHS Pensions will check if a Death Gratuity Deficiency payment is due. If a deficiency payment is due NHS Pensions may write to the informant for the name and address of the personal representative. NHS Pensions will authorise Paymaster to pay the deficiency payment and notify the personal representative of the amount of Life Time Allowance used. It is the responsibility of Paymaster to obtain any documentation relating to probate that may be necessary.

www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/pensions

Death on Pension Factsheet

V2.0 06/2013

NHS Pensions will check the members record to see if there were any children dependent upon the member at retirement, and if necessary will issue a child allowance application form AW158. When the completed claim form and all necessary papers are returned we will authorise Paymaster to pay a child allowance. If the member married, formed a civil partnership, or nominated a partner after their retirement, NHS Pensions will issue the necessary claim form to be completed and returned with all necessary papers. We will then authorise Paymaster to pay the surviving partner pension. If the continuing surviving partner pension is less than 260 a year, Paymaster will ask NHS Pensions if the small pension can be commuted to a once and for all lump sum and we will then calculate the lump sum and authorise Paymaster to pay it. Paymaster: Contact Details Paymaster, Sutherland House, Russell Way Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 1UH Paymasters telephone number is 0845 1212 522 If you live outside the United Kingdom the telephone number is 0044 1293 560999

www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/pensions

Death on Pension Factsheet

V2.0 06/2013