Nominations

If a member dies, the Scheme may pay a discretionary death grant.If no nomination has been made, the death grant would normally be paid to the member's spouse or cilvil partner. Members can nominate one or more people to receive the death grant and can choose how much each nominee should receive.

Members can also nominate a partner or dependent relative to receive a pension after their death, subject to certain conditions. Nominations can be made using My Pension Online (MPO).

You should remind members to keep their nominations up to date. otherwise, discretionary payments may not be made to the person they would like to receive them. This is particularly important if a member marries or remarries, as marriage does not automatically replace an existing nomination. Any nomination made before marriage will still apply unless the member notifies us that they wish to cancel their nomination.

In addition to nominating a person to receive a death grant payment, unmarried members can also nominate a person to receive a family benefits pension. If a member is unmarried and has been living with a partner for 2 years during which time their financial affairs have been interdependent, or the partner has been financially dependent on the member, they can nominate their partner to receive a pension in the event of the member’s death.

Interdependency is assessed after the member dies. You should remind members that it is important to keep these nominations up to date. Otherwise, benefits may not be paid.

An unmarried member may also nominate a financial dependent. The dependant must be wholly or mainly financially dependent on the member. If a dependant is a member's parent or step parent, brother or sister they must:

• Have never married nor formed a civil partnership; nor
• Be widowed or a surviving civil partner.