Below are the steps involved in arranging for the benefits to be paid following your death. For more information please refer to the Bereavement guide.
Click on the numbers below to reveal more information about each step.
1 The DB Section Administrator is notified of your death
This is likely to be done by your next of kin or possibly the executor of your estate.
2 The DB Section Administrator confirms what documentation is required
The DB Section Administrator will write to the appropriate person (normally your next of kin or executor of your estate) providing the documentation that will need to be completed.
3 The DB Section Administrator receives the required documentation
Once the DB Section Administrator has received all the relevant documentation they will forward this to the Trustee, along with a copy of your Expression of Wish Form. If you haven't completed an Expression of Wish Form recently (or at all) we strongly recommend you complete one. This will ensure the Trustee can be made aware of your wishes if you die.
4 The Trustee confirms recipient(s) for discretionary benefits
The Trustee will decide who should receive any discretionary benefits, such as any lump sum payment. The Trustee will instruct the DB Section Administrator what to pay and to whom.
5 The DB Section Administrator pays lump sum
Once the DB Section Administrator has received instruction from the Trustee they will arrange for the payment of any lump sum to the appropriate person(s).
6 The DB Section Administrator arranges for any Spouse's / registered Civil Partner's / Dependant's pension to commence
The DB Section Administrator will also arrange for any pensions to be paid to your Spouse, registered Civil Partner or Dependant. Please allow eight weeks for this be completed.
7 Payments to your Spouse, registered Civil Partner or Dependant
On average it takes around eight weeks from the date that the DB Section Administrator is notified of your death to the point of paying any Spouse’s/registered Civil Partner’s/Dependants pension, and any discretionary benefits, such as a lump sum. This timescale varies from member to member. Some factors that can increase the time it takes are shown below:
- How quickly the required documentation is supplied – the DB Section Administrator will contact your next of kin or possibly the executor of your estate and send the documentation that needs to be completed by the appropriate person; or
- Whether discretionary benefits are due - the Trustee will decide who should receive a discretionary lump sum (only payable if death occurs within five years of retirement) and instruct the DB Section Administrator what to pay and to whom.
To assist the Trustee and the DB Section Administrator please can you ensure that you update your ‘Expression of Wish’ and ‘Spouse/Civil Partner Details’ information held on your MyPension record.
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