NHS Pension and Expression of Wishes

weezie7

I am currently taking my NHS defined benefit pension and have done for over 10 years. I have done (years ago) an Expression of Wishes for my partner (not married). If I die, will he be eligible to receive any/part of my pension please?

I have tried to contact the NHS pension people, but cannot get a sensible answer! I know if I had not received any pension, he might be eligible, but as I have had 10 years+, not sure if he will be eligible......can anyone help please?

Does anyone have experience of it please?

Many thanks.

Marcon

The BMA's website should help you: https://www.bma.org.uk/pay-and-contracts/pensions/additional-pensions-advice/death-after-retirement-and-your-pension

Also see https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/pensioner-hub/bereavement/what-happens-your-pension-when-you-die

weezie7

Thankyou Marcon. I was a nurse, so not sure if the BMA stuff is relevant, will have a look at both sites. 

weezie7

Actually I have already looked at the NHS pension site, and it is not clear! I just wondered if anyone had any experience of their own , ie what proportion of their pension did their partner receive etc. 

Silvertabby

The Expression of Wish form is in respect of lump sum death benefits, if due.  In the case of the NHS, that's if death occurs either before starting to draw your pension benefits, or within 5 years of drawing your pension.  In your case, you have been drawing your pension for 10 years and so are outside the guarantee period.

A survivor's annual pension, however, is another matter entirely.  Yes, it's complicated, and all depends on your dates of membership.  So:

When did you leave the NHS and how old were you?

When did start to draw your pension - assume 2014?

Which scheme were you in - ie, 1995 or later?

sheramber

https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/sites/default/files/2024-04/Survivors Guide (V12) 04.2024 (1).pdf

weezie7

Thank you sheamber, will have a good look at that!

Silvertabby........ I left the NHS in April 2010, was 55 in Sept and started taking my pension in Oct 2010. I assume I was in the 1995 scheme....

Silvertabby

weezie7 said:

Thank you sheamber, will have a good look at that!

Silvertabby........ I left the NHS in April 2010, was 55 in Sept and started taking my pension in Oct 2010. I assume I was in the 1995 scheme....

In that case, the way I read it a qualifying partner would receive 50% of your pension accrued from 6 April 1988 only.

Qualifying criteria:

Living together as though you were married/in a civil partnership for at least 2 years.

Both are free to marry/enter into a civil partnership.

Able to supply proof of partnership.  ie, financial interdependancy, joint mortgage, bank accounts etc.

Marcon

weezie7 said:

Actually I have already looked at the NHS pension site, and it is not clear! I just wondered if anyone had any experience of their own , ie what proportion of their pension did their partner receive etc. 

If you follow the various links (leading off from the link I gave), that should help - especially the one which says(!):

The benefits that will be payable will depend on which NHS Pension Scheme you are a member of and your circumstances at the time of your death.

Your original award letter has details of the pension your dependant’s may receive when you die.

If you would like a more up to date calculation, contact us.

If you click on the contact link it takes you straight through to the website. Try asking the question again in the most basic form: 'What exactly, based on my service record and pension, would my unmarried partner receive as a pension and/or lump sum when I die'.

weezie7

Silvertabby, thanks for that info, yes, living together for 20 years, can provide evidence of shared bills etc. So, hopefully, if it comes to it, that will not be a problem!

Marcon - have tried to find original award letter........only have payslips, so will contact them and see if they are more helpful! Many thanks to both of you.

MX5huggy

Maybe you should get married/civil partnerships to avoid any ambiguity and also sort out any potential Inheritance Tax bill on the death of the first of you.