Protection for your family

As a member of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) you have the peace of mind that should anything happen to you, comprehensive benefits are paid out of the Scheme to your beneficiaries.

If you leave the LGPS before retirement age and defer your pension rights in the Royal County of Berkshire Pension Fund awaiting payment of those benefits at a later date, but you die before those benefits are payable, a death grant will be paid to your nominee or personal representatives.

If you left the LGPS before 1 April 2008 the death grant is equal to the lump sum retirement grant you have built up in the Scheme. If you left the LGPS after 1 April 2008 the death grant is equal to five times the value of your deferred annual pension at date of death. The death grant value also includes any inflationary increases since your date of leaving and your date of death. 

Please note: If you have re-joined the LGPS in England or Wales, the Lump Sum Death Grant payable would be the greater of:

• the total from all deferred benefits, annual pensions in payment and any suspended Tier three ill health annual pensions
• three times your pensionable pay (Assumed Pensionable Pay) in your new role

Why should I complete an expression of wish form?

While there is no requirement for you to complete an expression of wish form, there are two main reasons why doing so would be advantageous.

1. If you do not complete an expression of wish form, any death grant that may become payable will be paid to your legal beneficiary. Whilst this may be the same person or persons that you wish to receive your death grant, payments made in this way may be subject to Inheritance Tax where the total value of your estate exceeds the appropriate level. Simply by completing an expression of wish form and declaring your chosen beneficiaries, the death grant can be paid immediately to your beneficiaries and will potentially fall outside of the Inheritance Tax.
    
2. In the event of your death without an expression of wish form having been completed, we will require from your next of kin, or other representative, a sight of Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration before releasing payment of the death grant to your estate. This can be a lengthy process and involves the services of a solicitor. By completing an expression of wish form the payment of the death grant can be made without the need to see these legal documents.

Who can I choose to receive my death grant?

You can choose one person, a number of people or even an organisation such as a charity. You can choose your husband, wife or partner, your children, any other family member or a friend, the list is endless. However, remember that the administering authority has absolute discretion when making payment of the death grant and will want to honour your wishes so always consider those who will and those who will not benefit.

Can I choose who can receive my pension benefits?

As a member of the LGPS, your dependants automatically qualify for part of your pension in the event of your death. If you are married, your husband or wife qualifies for a spouse's pension. If you have registered a civil partnership, your civil partner will qualify for a civil partner's pension. If you leave dependant children, they will also qualify for a pension for so long as they are eligible. Details of all of these benefits are provided in our booklet 'Protection For Your Family'.

With effect from 1 April 2008 the LGPS regulations introduced partner's pensions for the first time and if you have been an active member of the LGPS since that date it is now possible for you to nominate a cohabiting partner for part of your pension in the event of your death. This is different though to an expression of wish in respect of death grants and if you wish to find out more about cohabiting partner's pensions please download our Cohabiting partner form.

Can I change my expression of wish at any time?

Yes you can. You can even cancel your expression of wish. You need to consider amending your form if:

• Your circumstances change
• You become divorced or dissolve a civil partnership
• The person you have chosen dies
• It becomes impractical to make payment to your chosen beneficiary (such as a charity that no longer exists)

If you are unsure whether or not you have already completed an expression of wish form you can contact the Pension Team who will be able to advise you accordingly. If, however, you re-submit a second expression of wish form with exactly the same details as the first form it does not matter, we will just maintain your records in line with your duplicated wishes.

What do I do next?

If you haven't already completed a form please download our factsheet Expression of Wish for Payment of Death Grant. If you would prefer to have a copy of this factsheet forwarded to your home address please contact us on 01628 796 668.

Once we have received your completed form we will acknowledge receipt within 10 working days.

Please make sure that you have completed your details accurately and the details of your chosen beneficiaries.

It is also important that where you have named more than one beneficiary the shares add up to 100% in total, otherwise the form will be returned to you.

Please ensure you have signed and dated the form.