The NHS Pension Scheme provides members with life assurance cover and lump sum benefits that can help to look after your loved ones after you’re gone.
As a pensioner member, your family or someone you have nominated may be eligible to receive a dependant’s pension or a lump sum in the event of your death.
We call these people ‘eligible dependants’.
Eligible dependants
An eligible dependant could be:
- a nominee
- an adult dependant
- a dependant child
Nominee
This is the person you’ve nominated to receive your pension benefits in the event of your death.
Adult dependant
This is your legal spouse, registered civil partner or qualifying scheme partner.
A dependant child
This is a child, or children, who is dependent on you.
This does not have to be your own child or children. It can include a number of other possible child dependants.
Read our Survivor's Guide (PDF: 377KB) for more information.
How much will they receive
The benefits that will be payable will depend on which NHS Pension Scheme you are a member of and your circumstances at the time of your death.
Your original award letter has details of the pension your dependant’s may receive when you die.
If you would like a more up to date calculation, contact us.
Tell us who you want to receive your benefits
You can nominate someone to receive any pension benefits that may be payable when you die.
You can find more detail on our nominations page.
If you want your spouse or registered civil partner to receive all of your adult dependant’s pension and lump sum benefits when you die, you don’t need to nominate them. They will receive these benefits unless you have previously nominated someone else to receive them.
If you have previously nominated someone, they’ll receive any benefits even if your circumstances subsequently change. For example, if you later get married.
You can also choose to cancel or change a previous nomination by completing a new nomination form.
Finding more information
Read our Survivor's Guide (PDF: 377KB) for information about the lump sum payable on death and pension payable. This includes information about adult dependant’s pensions and child dependant’s pensions.
We also have information on how to let us know that a pensioner member has died.
Forms you may need
If you want to nominate someone, you can find the forms you need on our nominations page.