Left before 01/04/2008
The definition of an eligible child is different for pensioners whose pension or deferred pension began before 6th April 2006 as compared to those whose pension or deferred pension began between 6th April 2006 and 31st March 2008.
If the pension began before 6th April 2006, eligible children include your legitimate, adopted or dependent children who are:
- children who are under age 17, or
- since before age 17, have been in full time education or training for a trade, profession or vocation
- dependant by reason of incapacity
If the pension began between 6th April 2006 and 31st March 2008, eligible children include your legitimate, adopted or dependent children who are:
- Under age 17, or
- Under age 23 and since before age 17, have been in full time education or in training for a trade, profession or vocation, or
- Dependent by reason of incapacity which arose whilst a child within the definition of (1) or (2) above
In all cases, the children must have been born within 12 months of your death.
The amount of children’s pension payable depends on the number of eligible children you have and whether or not a spouse/civil partner’s pension is also payable.
Children’s pension due if survivor’s pension is to be paid:
1 child: The pension would amount to 1/320th of your final pay multiplied by your total membership up to date of leaving.
2 or more children: They would receive an annual pension of 1/160th of your final pay multiplied by your total membership up to date of leaving. This will be divided equally between each child.
Children’s pension due if no survivor’s pension is to be paid:
Following your death, your children will receive a short term pension equal to the pension you were receiving prior to death for a period of 6 months. This will be divided equally between your eligible children.
Once the short term pension ceases, a long term pension will be payable, as follows:
1 child: The pension would amount to 1/240th of your final pay multiplied by your total membership up to date of leaving.
2 or more children: They would receive an annual pension of 1/120th of your final pay multiplied by your total membership up to date of leaving. This will be divided equally between each child.
Left after 01/04/2008
Eligible children are:
- Under age 18 and wholly or mainly dependant on you, or
- Aged 18 or over and under 23, be dependent on you and be in full time education or undertaking vocational training (although a dependant child who commences full time education or vocational training after the date of your death may be treated as an eligible child up to age 23), or
- In some cases, a dependent child of any age who is disabled may be classed as an eligible child
In all cases, the children must have been born within a year of your death.
The amount of children’s pension payable depends on the number of eligible children you have and whether or not a survivor’s pension is to be paid to your spouse, civil partner or nominated co-habiting partner.
Children’s pension due if survivor’s pension is to be paid:
1 child: The pension would amount to 1/320th of your final pay multiplied by your total membership up to date of retirement.
2 or more children: They would receive an annual pension of 1/160th of your final pay multiplied by your total membership up to date of leaving. This will be divided equally between each child.
Children’s pension due if no survivor’s pension is to be paid:
1 child: The pension would amount to 1/240th of your final pay multiplied by your total membership up to date of leaving.
2 or more children: They would receive an annual pension of 1/120th of your final pay multiplied by your total membership up to date of leaving. This will be divided equally between each child.