If you die after retiring on pension, your benefits will no longer be payable. Your widow, widower, civil partner, nominated cohabiting partner, next-of-kin or person dealing with your Estate must immediately contact the Fund as otherwise an overpayment could occur.

A one-off cash Lump Sum Death Grant will be payable if your pension has been in payment for less than ten years. This is known as a ‘Ten Year Guarantee’ and will be based on the total of ten year’s pension less the pension which has been paid. Please note that the upper limit for counting the ten year period is ten years from age 65. So, for example, if you retired at age 70 then you would only be covered for the remaining 5 years up to age 75.

The Ten Year Guarantee on the Lump Sum Death Grant only applies to people who were paying into the LGPS on or after 1 April 2008.

You can complete an ‘Expression of Wish Form’ to say who you would like Avon Pension Fund to pay any Death Grant to. Follow the link below to download the form.

If a Survivor’s Pensions is payable to your Spouse, Civil Partner or Nominated Cohabiting Partner, an application form will be sent to them for completion. We will need to see a copy of the marriage or civil partnership certificate. If you live with a so-called ‘Common Law’ partner that you aren’t married to and haven’t completed a ‘Nomination of a Cohabiting Partner Form’ then they will not receive a Survivor’s Pension in respect of your LGPS Membership if you die before them.

Only people who were paying into the LGPS on or after 1 April 2008 are able to nominate a cohabiting partner to receive a Survivor’s Pension.

Children's Pensions are payable to any eligible dependent children you may have. To be eligible, a child must normally be under the age of 18, or 23 if they have continued in education. If your child is dependent on you because of physical or mental impairment they may be eligible at any age.