How are dependants pensions worked out?
The amount your dependants get is worked out using:
- the value of your pension and
- when you were a contributing member of the LGPS.
You can find out how these are calculated on the LGPS member website.
What happens to the extra contributions I’ve paid?
If you’re paying or have paid extra contributions, these may count towards the benefits your dependant gets.
Additional regular contributions (ARCs)
- If you started paying ARCs before 1 April 2014 and chose to pay for dependant’s benefits: we’ll pay extra benefits to your spouse/partner and any children. If you’re still paying ARCs when you die, we’ll treat your contract as having been paid in full.
Added years
- If you bought added years of membership before 1 April 2008: the extra years you bought may count towards your dependants’ benefits. If you’re still paying for these when you die, we’ll treat your contract as having been paid in full.
If your pension is deferred or being paid, the period you bought will count as long as you’re:
- married
- entered into a civil partnership or
- were cohabiting with your partner
before you left.
It will also count towards any children’s pensions.
Additional pension contributions (APCs)
- If you bought extra cohabiting partner benefits before 1 April 2014: an election to pay additional pension contributions to make membership before 6 April 1988 count towards the cohabiting partner’s pension must have been made before 1 April 2014.
Additional voluntary contributions (AVCs)
- If you’re getting a pension from an annuity bought from us with AVCs: the extra pension you bought will count unless you retired between 1 April 2008 and 31 March 2014 and chose not to provide for dependant’s benefits.
There are two circumstances where extra contributions would not count towards your dependant’s pension:
- If you’re paying, or have paid, APCs or shared cost additional pension contributions (SCAPCs) to buy extra pension only.
- If you’re paying or have paid ARCs but didn’t pay for dependant’s benefits when you took out your contract.
