NHS Pension Scheme – Life Assurance & Family Benefits

NHS-Pension-AgencyYou are automatically covered by the NHS life assurance from the day you join the NHS Pension Scheme.

  • If you die in pensionable employment, then the Scheme will pay a lump sum equal to the higher of 2x the amount you earned in your last 12 months of pensionable service or 2x your highest revalued pot from the last 10 years.
  • Pensions to surviving partners can be paid to a legal spouse or registered civil partner or a nominated qualifying partner.
  • If you have more than 2 years’ membership, a survivor’s pension for your legal spouse, civil partner or nominated qualifying partner is payable for life. They will receive:
    • A short term pension of 6 months equal to the amount you would have received had you reached retirement.
    • After the 6 months, they will receive 33.75% of the amount they had been receiving.
  • If you have less than 2 years’ membership, your spouse/partner will get a short term pension for 6 months only.
  • There are also allowances for dependent children regardless of how long you have been a member:
    • A short term pension for 3 months if the child is not dependent on the adult receiving the surviving partner’s pension, or 6 months where no surviving partner’s pension is payable.
    • After the 3 or 6 months period, if there is 1 child they will receive 16.875% of the amount they had been receiving, or if there are 2 or more children they will receive 33.75% of the amount they had been receiving, split between the children.