Impact of death of member spouse/member civil partner/member qualified cohabitant

If a member dies (prior to any decision to transfer the designated benefit to another scheme or policy), any payment to their dependants in respect of designated benefits depends on the circumstances.

If the member spouse/member civil partner/member qualified cohabitant dies prior to the commencement of the designated benefit an amount is paid to the person in whose favour the order is made.

If the designated benefit has commenced and the member spouse/member civil partner/member qualified cohabitant dies before the person in whose favour the pension adjustment order (PAO) has been made, the death benefit (if any) will depend on the rules of the pension scheme in question and on whether a PAO has been made over any such benefits payable on death.