Death Benefits

The Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) provides protection for your family should you die while in office, a deferred member or as a pensioner. Not only does your spouse or registered civil partner receive an annual pension payable for life, there is also an automatic death grant payable payable in the event of your death.

So that this death grant is paid promptly after your death to cover any immediate costs, you should complete the Death Grant Expression of Wish form below and return to the Dyfed Pension Fund.

• Death in Office

  If you die in office as a member of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), subject to the qualifying conditions detailed, the following benefits will become payable:

  • a lump sum death grant; equal to 2 times your Career Average Pay is payable no matter how long you have been a member of the LGPS; and
  • a survivor's pension; payable to either a widow, widower's or civil partner.
• Death in Deferment

  Should you die while your benefits are deferred your retirement lump sum will be paid as a death grant (3 x your annual pension).

  A widow's, widower's or civil partner’s long-term pension will also become payable. The widow's, widower’s or civil partner’s pension is payable at the rate of 1/160th of your deferred pension.

• Death in Retirement

  If you die after retirement, your benefits will no longer be payable. Your widow, widower, next of kin or the person dealing with your Estate must immediately inform the Dyfed Pension Fund of your date of death as otherwise an overpayment could occur.

  A lump sum death grant will be payable if the death occurs within the first 5 years of retirement. The death grant payable is the amount by which your annual pension multiplied by 5 exceeds the pension paid to you up to the date of death.

• Survivor Benefits

  Your Survivor i.e. widow, widower or registered civil partner will receive a short term pension for the 3 months following your death, or for 6 months if one or more eligible dependent children are in the widow's, widower's or civil partner's care. After that your widow, widower or civil partner will receive a long term pension.

  The Survivor's pension payable is calculated as follows:

  For Widows

  Your Final Pay x Total Membership* x 1/160 = Annual Pension

  For Widowers

  Your Final Pay x Total Membership from 5 April 1988 x 1/160 = Annual Pension

  For Registered Civil Partners

  Your Final Pay x Total Membership from 5 April 1988 x 1/160 = Annual Pension

  Please Note

  In the event of your death while in office, the total membership value included within the calculation of your survivor's benefits will include the membership enhancement you would have had if you retired due to ill health on the day you passed away.

• Child Pensions

  If an active member of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) dies leaving one or more Eligible Child, they are entitled to a children's pension, which shall come into payment on the day following the member's death.

  Children's pensions are payable to the surviving parent or legal guardian until they reach at least 18 years of age. Children who are eligible can be legitimate, illegitimate or adopted, or any child accepted as a member of the family and dependent on the member whilst he/she was a contributor to the Scheme.

  Special consideration is given to children in the care of both a surviving parent or a guardian where the child is physically or mentally disabled, and has been since before age 18. In this instance, pensions are payable for as long as the disability continues.

  Pensions can also be paid to children over the age of 18, providing that they remain in full time continuous education, or undertaking an approved training course for at least 2 years.

  Please note

  Children's pensions are payable until a maximum age of 23.

  To find out more, please contact the Dyfed Pension Fund.