Expression of wish nomination

A key feature of the LGPS is that benefits can be paid in the event of your death. The options to nominate beneficiaries are:

• Expression of wish form (Death grant) nomination - to express your wish for someone to receive any death grant in the event of your death.
• Cohabiting partner (Survivor’s pension) nomination – to nominate a cohabiting partner to receive a survivor’s pension in the event of your death. You do not need to make a Cohabiting partner nomination if you are married or in a civil partnership as your spouse will automatically receive a survivor’s pension in the event of your death.

Expression of wish (Death grant) nomination

You can nominate anyone you wish to receive your pension benefits. If you nominate someone under 18 years old, you should get independent legal advice. If you nominate more than one person you must show how much of the grant each person is to receive, for example 40%, 60%. It must add up to 100%. You can change this as many times as you like, and at any time.

Your expression of wish will in most cases be followed. But nominations can become out of date and occasions do arise where the Fund must use its discretion where the form no longer appears appropriate. 

It is important that you submit a new expression of wish nomination if: 

• your wishes change
• any person nominated dies
• you have nominated a spouse or civil partner and your divorce or the partnership is dissolved via a court process

Inheritance tax rules are changing from 6 April 2027

From 6 April 2027, inheritance tax rules are changing for all pension schemes. If you nominate someone other than your married spouse or civil partner, and depending on the total value of your estate, a death grant due may be subject to inheritance tax. Death in service grants which are payable to beneficiaries of active members are exempt.

Tell us your expression of wish nomination 

Cohabiting partner (Survivor’s pension) nomination

You can nominate a cohabiting partner, of either opposite or same sex, with whom you have not entered into marriage or formed a civil partnership. 

On your death, benefits would be paid to your cohabiting partner if for a continuous period of at least two years immediately before your death:

• both you and your cohabiting partner are, and have been, able to marry each other or form a civil partnership with each other
• you and your cohabiting partner have been living together as if you were husband and wife, or civil partners
• neither you or your cohabiting partner have been living with someone else as if you/they were husband and wife or civil partners
• either your cohabiting partner is financially dependent on you or you are financially interdependent on each other

Your partner is financially dependent on you if you have the highest income. Financially interdependent means that you rely on your joint finances to support your standard of living. It doesn’t mean that you need to be contributing equally. For example, if your partner’s income is a lot more than yours, he or she may pay the mortgage and most of the bills, and you may pay for the weekly shopping.

A survivor’s pension would be paid to your cohabiting partner if:

• all the above criteria apply at the date of your death, and
• your cohabiting partner satisfies the Fund that the above conditions had been met for a continuous period of at least two years immediately before your death.

On your death, we will require evidence that the conditions for a cohabiting partner's pension are met.

A pension will only be paid to your eligible cohabiting partner if you paid into the LGPS after 5 April 1988.

Tell us your Cohabiting partner (Survivor’s pension) nomination