Who can get a dependant’s pension?

Spouse’s or civil partner’s pension

A spouse is someone who’s married to you. A civil partner is someone who you’ve registered your partnership with through a civil ceremony. You can find out how much we might pay to your spouse or partner on your online pension account.

Co-habiting partner’s pension

A cohabiting partner is a person you’re living with, in the same way as if you were married or in a civil partnership. When you die, if all the following conditions apply for at least the last two years before your death, then we’ll pay your partner a pension:

• You paid into the LGPS on or after 1 April 2008.
• You and your partner lived together as if you were married or civil partners.
• You were both legally able to marry or form a civil partnership but chose not to.
• Neither of you has been living with someone else as if you were a married couple or civil partners.
• Either your cohabiting partner is and has been financially dependent on you, or you’ve depended on each other financially.

We’ll ask your partner for evidence that they meet these conditions at the time of your death. You should keep copies of documents, preferably in both names and showing the same address. For example:

• council tax bills
• mortgage statements or a rental agreement
• utility bills
• bank statements showing contributions to the household.

Children’s pensions

We’ll usually pay a pension to a child until they reach age 18. If they’re in full time education or vocational training, the pension could be paid:

• until they finish their course or
• reach age 23

whichever is first.

If your child is over the age of 18 and unable to get a job because of a disability, then we may pay a pension to them too.

Any child we consider paying must be your:

• natural child
• adopted child
• stepchild or
• child you’ve accepted into your family.