What happens if I die?

I left before 1 April 2008

If you left the Cornwall Pension Fund before 1 April 2008, but were to die before drawing your benefits, a death grant equal to the current value of your preserved lump sum would be payable. The death grant will include increases accrued whilst your benefits were preserved within the fund.

I left after 1 April 2008

If you left the Cornwall Pension Fund after 1 April 2008 a death grant of 5 times your preserved annual pension will be payable. The death grant will include increases accrued whilst your benefits were preserved within the fund.

I paid additional regular contributions (ARCs) or additional pension contributions (APCs) to increase my own benefits 

On death in deferment, a lump sum of five times your additional pension is payable.

I paid additional voluntary contributions (AVCs)

If you paid AVCs, these would be paid in conjunction with the lump sum death grant.

Expression of wish

Although it is very important to ensure your expression of wish form is up to date, the Cornwall Pension Fund has the ultimate discretion over who a lump sum is made payable to, therefore the lump sum will not form part of your estate for inheritance tax purposes.

If you were married, or in a civil partnership at the time your benefits were preserved:

• your spouse/civil partner will be entitled to a monthly pension in the event of your death.

The monthly survivors pension is payable in addition to the lump sum death grant.

I left before 1 April 2008

If you were married, or in a civil partnership at the time your benefits were preserved:

• Your wife would receive - half of your preserved pension
• Your husband would receive - half of your preserved pension. But, if you have pensionable service prior to 6 April 1988, this will only count towards your husbands pension. This is if you elected for it to do so and paid the additional contributions.

• Your civil partner would receive - half of your preserved pension. Although only membership after 6 April 1988 will count towards your civil partners pension

If you married after your benefits were preserved, your husband or wife's pension may be calculated differently.

• Your wife would receive - half of your preserved pension built up from 6 April 1978
• Your husband would receive - half of your preserved pension built up from 6 April 1988.  Any additional membership you purchased will not count towards your husband's pension.

Your spouse's widow's or widower's pension will be payable:

• on a monthly basis and in most cases for the rest of their life.

But, if you left the Fund before 6 April 1988:

• different rules may apply if your spouse or civil partner re marries, enters into a civil partnership or cohabits.

I left after 1 April 2008

• Your husband or wife would receive - 1/160th of your final pensionable pay multiplied by your pensionable service in the scheme.  If you marry after your benefits are preserved, the pension could be less.
• Your civil partner would receive - a pension equal to 1/160th of your final pensionable pay, multiplied by your pensionable service in the scheme.  If you enter into a civil partnership after your benefits are preserved, the pension could be less.
• Your nominated cohabiting partner would receive - 1/160th of your final pensionable pay. This is multiplied by your pensionable service in the scheme (only pensionable service after 6 April 1988 will count towards a cohabiting partners pension)

The cohabiting partners pension is not automatic, in the event of your death your partner would only receive a pension if you meet certain conditions and if you have completed a nomination of cohabiting partner for survivors pension form. 

If you left after 1 April 2014 this form is not essential, but you must still meet the conditions below.

The conditions which must be met before you can nominate a cohabiting partner are;

• You must have paid into the pension scheme on or after 1 April 2008
• You must be free to marry or enter into a civil partnership with each other
• You and your nominated partner must be living together as if you were husband and wife, or civil partners
• Neither you or your nominated cohabiting partner have been living with someone else as if you/they were husband and wife, or civil partners
• Either your nominated cohabiting partner is financially dependent on you or you are financially interdependent on each other.

If you meet these conditions and wish to nominate your cohabiting partner to receive a survivor's pension in the event of your death, please complete and return a nomination of cohabiting partner for survivors pension form. 

If you left after 1 April 2014 this form is not essential.  However it would be helpful if you completed and returned a form to inform us of your circumstances.

Eligible children are:

• Under the age of 18
• Under the age of 23 and in full time education or in training for a trade, profession or vocation. The child must not have left education at any point in order to be eligible. However, in some cases the Pensions Section may ignore a break in education
• A dependant child of any age who is disabled
• In all cases children must have been born within a year after your death

The amount of pension your children would receive in the event of your death depends on when you left the Cornwall Pension Fund:

I left the pension scheme before 1 April 2008

• If your spouse or civil partner is receiving a pension, one child would receive 1/4 of your pension. Two or more children would receive 1/2 shared between them.
• If your spouse or civil partner is not receiving a pension, one child would receive 1/3 of your pension.  Two or more children would receive 2/3 between them.

The Cornwall Pension Fund will decide how the pension is split if you have more than one child.

I left the pension scheme after 1 April 2008

• If your spouse, civil partner or cohabiting partner is receiving a pension, one child would receive 1/320th of your pensionable pay multiplied by your membership in the scheme. Two or more children would receive 1/160th shared equally between them.
• If there is not a spouse, civil partner or cohabiting partner to receive a pension, one child would receive 1/240th of your pensionable pay, multiplied by your membership. Two or more children would receive 1/120th shared equally between them.

Children's pensions increase every year in line with the consumer prices index.