How-to-guides

In deferment

Below are the steps involved in arranging for the benefits to be paid following your death. For more information please refer to the Bereavement guide.

Click on the numbers below to reveal more information about each step.

1 The Administration Team are notified of your death

This is likely to be done by your next of kin or possibly the executor of your estate.
2 The Administration Team confirms what documentation is required

The Administration Team will write to the appropriate person (normally your next of kin or executor of your estate) providing the documentation that will need to be completed.
3 The Administration Team receives the required documentation

Once the Administration Team has received all the relevant documentation they will forward this to the Trustee, along with a copy of your Expression of Wish Form.

If you haven't completed an Expression of Wish Form recently (or at all) we strongly recommend you complete one. This will ensure the Trustee can be made aware of your wishes if you die.
4 The Trustee confirms recipient(s) for discretionary benefits

The Trustee will decide who should receive any discretionary benefits, such as any lump sum payment. The Trustee will instruct the Administration Team what to pay and to whom.
5 The Administration Team pays lump sum

Once the Administration Team has received instruction from the Trustee they will arrange for the payment of any lump sum to the appropriate person(s).
6 The Administration Team arranges for any Spouse's / registered Civil Partner's / Dependant's pension to commence

The Administration Team will also arrange for any pensions to be paid to your Spouse, registered Civil Partner or Dependant. Please allow 10 weeks for this to be completed.
7 Payments to your Spouse, registered Civil Partner or Dependant

On average it takes around 10 weeks from the date that the Administration Team is notified of your death to the point of paying any Spouse’s/registered Civil Partner’s/Dependants pension and any discretionary benefits, such as a lump sum. This timescale varies from member to member. Some factors that can increase the time it takes are shown below:
<ul><li>How quickly the required documentation is supplied – the Administration team will contact your next of kin or possibly the executor of your estate and send the documentation that will need to be completed by the appropriate person; or
</li><li>Whether discretionary benefits are due - the Trustee will decide who should receive any discretionary benefits (such as any lump sum payment) and instruct the Administration Team what to pay and to whom.</li></ul>
To assist the Trustee and the Administration team please can you ensure that you update your ‘Expression of Wish’ and ‘Spouse/Civil Partner Details’ information held on your MyPension record.