It has now been a year since the Government felt it essential to reconsider survivor’s benefits in the Teachers’ Pension Scheme. A legal case: Walker v Innospec, raised issues about who should receive this benefit. It has always been the case that a spouse, your husband or wife, would continue to receive money in the event of your death. However, since this case, regulation has changed to include survivors of same-sex marriages and civil partnerships.
The survivor’s benefits for civil partnerships and same-sex marriages applies from the date that the partnership was established. The amount received, whether same sex or opposite sex couple, civil partnership or marriage, will depend on when the deceased member was employed. The amount will also depend on their pensionable earnings and the length of their service.
Detailed information on survivor’s benefits and any changes that could impact on your can be found at the Teachers Pensions’ Scheme site.
The content in this article was correct on 25th February 2019. You should not rely on this article to make important financial decisions. Teachers Financial Planning offers advice on survivor’s benefits for teachers. Please use the contact form below to arrange an informal chat with an advisor and see how we can help you.