Notes and assumptions.
What the Death in Service calculator assumes, what it leaves out and where its figures come from.
What this tool is.
This is an illustration to help you think about protection. It isn't a statement of your benefits and it isn't financial advice — your scheme administrator decides what's actually paid. It's based on what you've entered and on simplified scheme rules, and all figures are in today's money.
Please don't cancel or change any cover you already have without taking advice first.
The lump sum and tax.
The lump sum is the scheme's death grant: 3 times your pensionable pay in the Police Pension Scheme 2015, and 2 times in the NHS Pension Scheme 2015.
The lump sum is normally tax-free if it's paid within 2 years of the scheme being told of the death, and within the Lump Sum and Death Benefit Allowance. It's paid at the scheme's discretion, so keep your nomination form up to date.
Death in service benefits from registered pension schemes sit outside inheritance tax, including after the April 2027 changes.
Partners and children.
A partner's pension is normally paid for life. Spouses and civil partners qualify.
Partners who aren't married or in a civil partnership must meet the scheme's conditions.
Children's pensions are paid until a set age: in this estimate, 18 in the Police scheme (it can continue to 23 in full-time education) and 23 in the NHS scheme.
With less than 2 years' service, pensions for your partner and children are not normally payable. The lump sum is normally still paid.
How the figures are worked out.
We estimate the pension you've built up and add an ill-health enhancement for the service you could still have built up, as the scheme does when someone dies in service. Your partner's and children's pensions are a share of that figure.
We've used your current pay for every year of your service, and assumed continuous service at your current working pattern. Added pension, AVCs and McCloud choices aren't included.
Figures are in today's money and before tax. Your actual benefits may be higher or lower.
The side-by-side figures.
Your mortgage and any cover you already have sit next to the scheme's figures, so you can see them in one place.
We show them side by side and don't subtract one from the other. An adviser can talk through what they mean.
In the side-by-side panel, the partner's pension is shown after an assumed 20% tax; your partner's actual tax depends on their circumstances. Children's pensions are shown untaxed. Child Benefit is an estimate at 2026/27 rates for children entered as under 18, and may be reduced or not payable if the surviving partner's income is high.
Other state benefits aren't included.
Police Pension Scheme 2015.
This estimate applies 2015 scheme rules to all your service; 1987 or 2006 scheme service may give different benefits. It doesn't include injury awards where death results from an injury on duty. Children's pensions are shown to 18, though they can continue to 23 in full-time education. A partner more than 12 years younger than you receives a reduced pension.
If you're a member of the Police Federation's group insurance, its benefits are separate from the pension scheme.
NHS Pension Scheme 2015.
If any of your membership is in the 1995 or 2008 Section, your actual benefits may differ, because this estimate uses 2015 Scheme rules for all service. Normal pension age is taken as 67. The 6-month short-term pension paid to a partner isn't shown. This estimate isn't for GPs, dentists or other practitioners.
Scotland and Northern Ireland.
England & Wales schemes only.
Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own schemes, which may differ.
Review and advice.
Rules and rates can change. If you'd like to understand your own position, an adviser can go through it with you. It's free and there's no obligation.