Lump Sum Death Grant

This is the LGPS.

A one-off lump sum death grant (which is over and above any dependants pension due) is only payable if you were to die either before retirement, or within 10 years of starting to draw your pension. In the case of the latter, the death grant is 10 x your annual pension minus pension already paid, so the closer you get to the 10 year point the less it would be.

You may nominate anyone - including a charity - if you so wish. Do you have grandchildren? If not, then your daughter is the most logical nominee. Remember that you can change your nominee(s) as many times as you like should your circumstances/wishes change.

The big advantage of the death grant is that it doesn't form part of the deceased's estate. It's paid directly to the nominated beneficiary without the need for probate etc. Speaking from a selfish point of view (as a retired LGPS administrator) it makes things much easier for the LGPS if there's a valid, preferably recent, nomination form on record in the event of a death. And making things clearer and easier for the LGPS equals faster payment of the death grant.