Information for beneficiaries
At a glance
If a member died during the remedy period, their pension is still covered by the age discrimination remedy. An eligible decision maker will be asked to consider whether switching the member’s pension benefits for the remedy period would be more beneficial. This decision could change ongoing survivor and children’s pensions and may result in adjustments to lump sums or contributions already paid. You will receive a remediable service statement showing your current benefits, the alternative option, and any financial impact, to help you make an informed decision.
About
Overview
Some members who were in the police pension scheme during the remedy period have sadly died.
They are still entitled to remedy, but in cases where they had not made their choice before they passed away, the decision will now be made by an eligible decision maker. This could mean extra payments are due to or from the member’s estate, and extra payments may also be due to or from any beneficiaries. If you decide to make a change, your choice may mean that there is a contribution adjustment necessary.
Death benefits that are payable vary between:
- The different police pension schemes
- When the death occurred
- The number and type of beneficiaries
The choices made in relation to remedy may change ongoing payments as well as any benefits that were paid to the member before they passed away.
Making choices
What is an eligible decision maker?
In most cases there will be a sole adult beneficiary, such as a spouse, and this will be the eligible decision maker.
For other types of sole beneficiaries, or where there are multiple beneficiaries, you should refer to the eligible decision makers schedule in the Police Pension (Remediable Service) Regulations 2023.
Keeping you up to date
Remediable service statement (RSS)
You will receive a remediable service statement which will set out the benefits that you are currently receiving and show you what the alternative choice could look like.
Details of the effect on benefits that are payable to or from the estate of the deceased member will also be shown.
Making a decision
Your choices
If you decide that you would be better off by switching the benefits for the remedy period, there are a number of areas that may be affected:
- The value of your ongoing payments, including children’s pensions
- If there was a lump sum paid on retirement, the value of this may be affected
- If a death grant lump sum was payable when the member died, there may be an adjustment to the death grant lump sum that was paid
- Contribution adjustments – as the contribution rates differ across the police pension schemes, there may be money owed or due from the scheme. the amount owing will be deducted from or added to your pension benefits when you make your choice
There are some protections in place to ensure that a child’s pension will not be affected by the remedy choice that a surviving adult makes.
The details of these areas would be provided in your remediable service statement. All calculations would be adjusted for tax and interest as applicable.