NHS Pension Scheme - question about expression of wishes

gelato_cat

A family member has died... they worked for the NHS and were a pensioner collecting their NHS Pension at their date of death.

I've been reading about Expression Of Wishes (https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/savings/pension-expression-of-wishes/).  We don't know if our family member made any expressions of wishes for their NHS Pension.

Can you actually make an Expression Of Wishes for an NHS Pension?  I'm asking, because if this facility doesn't exist in the NHS Pension Scheme, there seems little point us writing to ask if our family member expressed any wishes.

Thanks in advance for any help.

daveyjp

Anyone paying into a pension should complete a nomination form.

It provides the pension company with details of who will benefit from any ongoing pension payments which may be due once the person in receipt dies.

The NHS pensions administrators should have any such nomination details on file.

Flugelhorn

you can certainly complete a nomination form for the NHS pension - bear in mind though that the survivor benefits tend  to be limited to surviving spouse / children under 23 

Moonwolf

This is the page nomination instructions for the NHS pension. https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/member-hub/nominations

Generally with the NHS pension once it is in payment only partners and dependent children get anything.  It is worth reading this page as well  https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/member-hub/bereavements

p00hsticks

I'm not an expert, but my understanding is that the NHS pension is a defined benefit one, which guarantees an income for life.

In general on the death of a member who is already taking their pension there may be a follow on pension payable to their spouse or any children up to the age where they cease to be in full time education. but otherwise the pension dies with them (although sometimes if they die within a few years of retiring there may be a lump sum payable). 

An expression of wish usually relates to Death In service Benefits or Defined Contribution pensions where there is a pot of money to be left 

Moonwolf

p00hsticks said:

I'm not an expert, but my understanding is that the NHS pension is a defined benefit one, which guarantees an income for life.

There may be a small sum if the deceased was a pensioner for less than 5 years. The entitlement varies slightly with scheme but is basically:-

"The lesser of: 5 x pension less pension already paid or 2 x pay (at retirement) less any retirement lump sum"

gelato_cat

Thanks, everyone