A worry for us all is what happens to our loved ones if we are no longer there to provide for them. If you should die, the Scheme will pay:

• A lump sum equal to any unpaid balance of the first five years of your pension entitlement (not taking account of any future pension increases). If you had taken the State Spreading Option when you retired, this lump sum will be reduced to reflect the additional pension paid as a result of the State Spreading Option.

This is a very valuable benefit, which the Trustee wants to ensure is received by the correct recipients — as quickly as possible.

How does the Trustee decide who should receive the benefits?

The Trustee will refer to the Scheme rules when deciding who should receive these benefits, and sometimes it may not be immediately clear who you would have wanted the payments to be made to.

Here’s where you can help

By completing an Expression of Wish Form, you are telling the Trustee who you want to receive these benefits. Nominating an individual (or individuals) means they are automatically eligible to receive benefits from the Scheme. This may mean your loved-ones are not required to provide evidence to the Trustee of their financial relationship with you.

If you should die without completing a Form, further documentation may be required. This can significantly delay the payment of any benefits.

How do you update your Expression of Wish details?

This is very easy. Simply go to the Scheme website and either:

• Download an Expression of Wish Form from the ‘Documents’ section. All you then need to do is complete the Form and return it to the DB Section Administrator; or
• Login to ‘MyPension’ and update the details online.

It is worth updating your Expression of Wish details every few years, to ensure that the Trustee knows your current wishes, especially if your circumstances change. For example, following:

• Your Marriage, Divorce or the dissolution of a civil partnership;
• The person(s) you have chosen has died;
• If your children have grown up, and are no longer financially dependent on you; or
• The birth of a child.