91Èȱ¬

This page explains the main provisions for Old Benefits members of the 91Èȱ¬ Pension Scheme (the Scheme). It is intended only as guidance. The definitive provisions of the Scheme are set out in the Trust Deed and Rules, which supplement and override this handbook in the event of any difference. Some of the terms used (e.g. qualifying spouse) have a particular meaning and are in bold type wherever they appear in the text. There is an explanation of the terms used at the bottom of the page.

What is the Old Benefits section?

Old Benefits is closed to new members. It is a defined benefit pension arrangement under which benefits build up at the rate of 1/60th of your final pensionable salary for each year of pensionable service.

Do I have to be a member?

No, you do not have to be an Old Benefits member

Opting out

You can end your membership without leaving service, subject to at least two months’ notice. To do so you will need to complete an opt-out form, which you can get by contacting the Pension and Benefits Centre.

Once you have opted out, you cease to build up benefits and become a life assurance member.

You should read the ‘Death in service lump sum payments’ guide for more information.

Pension provision is an important element of your reward package. By opting out you will be giving up a valuable benefit. Before making such a decision, you should consider taking independent financial advice.

Rejoining the Scheme

Having opted out, you will not be able to re-join the Scheme. Instead, you will be able to join LifePlan – the 91Èȱ¬â€™s defined contribution arrangement.

How much does it cost?

Benefits are paid for partly by you and partly by the 91Èȱ¬; details are set out below.

Your share of the cost

Currently you pay 7.5% of your pensionable salary. This can be varied if both the 91Èȱ¬ and Trustee agree, although it cannot go above 7.5% without a change to the Trust Deed and Rules.

As an Old Benefits member your contributions will normally be met through salary sacrifice. This is called ‘Smart Pensions’. Your basic salary is reduced, currently by 7.5%, and the 91Èȱ¬ pays this amount to the Scheme. Because your salary after Smart Pensions is lower, you will usually pay lower National Insurance contributions.

The income tax you pay is unaffected by Smart Pensions. This is because PAYE income tax is always applied to earnings after any Scheme pension contributions have been deducted. For some members (e.g. those on low pay or receiving State benefits) Smart Pensions may be disadvantageous. If you are one of them, you will be excluded automatically and alternative arrangements will be made to collect your contributions. If you want to know more about Smart Pensions, there is a guide available from our website, bbc.co.uk/mypension.

Employer contributions

In addition to whatever contributions they pay under Smart Pensions, the 91Èȱ¬ and other participating employers pay contributions to cover the balance of the cost of providing your Scheme benefits, as agreed with the Trustees. In other words, your employer carries the risks associated with investments and with people generally living longer, which will affect the cost of providing the benefits you have built up.

Additional Voluntary Contributions

You can pay Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs) to boost your pension benefits. The Scheme’s AVC arrangements, including the option to buy Added Years, are described in the Purchase of Additional Benefits Handbook.

You can also pay additional contributions to your own personal pension or to LifePlan – the 91Èȱ¬â€™s defined contribution arrangement.

How does my pension build up?

You build up pension at the rate of 1/60th of your final pensionable salary for each year you are an active member (part years count proportionately) subject to Scheme limits (see below). To this is added any pension credits you may have (for example, as the result of a transfer from another pension arrangement).

(Pensionable service + credits)/60 x final pensionable salary = Scale pension

If you joined the Scheme before December 1975, your scale pension will be reduced by £1.33 for any year during which you chose to pay reduced contributions (known as rate A) on the first £400 of your pensionable salary up to 31 July 1991.

Part time service

If you work part time and your contractual hours are constant, your scale pension will be calculated as above. If your part time hours vary or you have a mixture of part time and full time pensionable service , there is a different formula that must be used. This is explained in a separate guide.

Transfers in

The Scheme does not accept transfers in from other pension arrangements.

When can I take my pension as an active member?

Payment at normal pension age

You can leave service at normal pension age (age 60) with an immediate pension payable for life.

Early payment

From age 55 (increasing to age 57 from 6 April 2028) onwards you can leave service and ask for your pension to be paid early. With the 91Èȱ¬â€™s agreement you can take your pension straight away. Your pension will be less than that payable at normal pension age. This is because:

• it is based on your final pensionable salary, pensionable service and any credits at the date you leave; and
• it will be reduced to allow for it being paid for a longer period than expected.

The reduction depends on your age at the time your pension comes into payment. The scale of reductions is set by the 91Èȱ¬ and the Trustees at the beginning of each calendar year. The following percentages are currently in use.

Between birthdays the reduction is proportionate.

Here is an example of how an early pension is calculated:

John leaves the 91Èȱ¬ on his 55th birthday, has a final pensionable salary of £30,000 and has built up 30 years' pensionable service. His deferred pension is calculated as:

30/60 x £30,000 = £15,000 p.a.

If he asks for immediate early payment of his pension, the pension built up will be reduced by 19.4%

John's early payment pension is calculated as £15,000 less 19.4% = £12,090 p.a.

Late payment

If you work past normal pension age, there are four options available.

• continue as an active member and, subject to Scheme limits build up more pension. This will happen automatically unless you instruct the Trustee otherwise;
• take flexible payment (see below);
• take your pension immediately and stop paying contributions; or
• stop paying contributions but postpone taking your pension.

If you stop paying contributions, your pensionable service will stop. Your pension will be adjusted by a late payment factor, in addition to any normal pension increases, to reflect any time between when you stop paying contributions and when you take your pension. The rate of this late payment factor depends on your age at the time your pension comes into payment. Late payment factors are set by the 91Èȱ¬ and the Trustee, are subject to periodic review and can go up or down. The following factors are currently in use for members who stopped paying contributions on or before reaching age 60:

Flexible payment

From age 55 (increasing to age 57 from 6 April 2028) onwards you can ask for your pension to be paid, while continuing in service, provided the 91Èȱ¬ agrees. Any pension taken before normal pension age under the flexible payment provisions will be reduced for early payment at rates decided each year by the 91Èȱ¬ and the Trustee. You will not build up any further benefits in the Scheme but could choose to join LifePlan - the 91Èȱ¬â€™s defined contribution pension plan, for future pension saving. 

If you take flexible payment and were to die in service, your life cover from the 91Èȱ¬ will remain at four times your life cover pensionable salary, but may be reduced by: 

• any lump sum you receive when your pension starts by exchanging pension (commutation); and
• any 5 year guarantee that is payable on your death.

Your contributions and interest will no longer be repayable if you die in service.

For more information read the ‘Death in Service lump sum payments’ guide.

Incapacity pension

Incapacity means physical or mental impairment as a result of which, on the evidence of a doctor or other qualified person appointed by the 91Èȱ¬, the Trustee is satisfied:

• that you are incapable of carrying out your normal occupation; and
• it is likely to permanently and substantially impair your earning capacity.

If you leave service because of incapacity before normal pension age, you will receive your scale pension starting the next day provided the 91Èȱ¬ agrees. If you have completed less than 24 years’ pensionable service, the pensionable service used to calculate your scale pension will be uplifted to the lesser of 24 years and what it would have been at age 60. If the 91Èȱ¬ decides that you are unable to pursue any occupation and the Trustee consents, the pensionable service will be uplifted to what it would have been at age 60, provided this is more than the standard incapacity pension. The Trustee's consent to the enhanced pension will only be given if you are expected to continue to be unable to pursue any occupation until normal pension age.

Incapacity pensions are subject to review and can be reduced or stopped if the Trustee believes that a member has recovered to any extent.

Can I exchange part of my pension for cash?

You can exchange part of your pension for a lump sum cash payment, which is currently paid tax-free by the Scheme subject to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) limits. This is known as ‘commutation’.

The maximum cash lump sum you can take is normally 25% of the value of your scale pension benefits together with any AVCs. If you take cash by exchanging pension, your scale pension will be reduced. The table below shows the lump sum payable for every £1 of pension exchanged.

Taking cash does not affect the benefits payable to your dependants or children. Those benefits will still be calculated on your scale pension, as though you had not taken any cash. Before making the decision to exchange pension for cash, you should consider taking independent financial advice.

Does my pension increase after it starts?

Old Benefits pensions in payment are reviewed annually and any increases are awarded on 1 April. Pensions in payment increase by the lesser of:

• the rise in the Retail Prices Index (RPI) for the previous calendar year ending 31 December: and
• 10%

In the first year you will receive a proportion of any increase awarded reflecting the number of complete months from the date your pension started to the following April.

If you joined the Scheme before 1 April 1992, increases are calculated on your pension as if you did not exchange part of it for cash.

If you joined the Scheme after 31 March 1992, increases are calculated on your actual pension in payment.

If you elected to participate in the pension increase exchange (PIE) exercise, you will receive future increases only on any non-exchanged element of your pension.

Separately, the 91Èȱ¬ and the Trustee may jointly award a discretionary increase.

Increases are reported in the annual report, a copy of which is available at here.

What happens if I opt out or leave service?

If you opt out (see above) or leave service, you will no longer be an active member.

You will be entitled to a deferred pension payable at normal pension age (or from the day after you leave service if later).

Your pension will be calculated as outlined above.

Deferred pensions receive increases during the period of deferment at the same rate as pensions in payment, including any increases required by legislation.

You can ask for your deferred pension to be paid before normal pension age, either because of incapacity or from age 55 (increasing to age 57 from 6 April 2028) onwards. Payment is subject to agreement by the Trustee and your pension will be reduced for early payment. If you opted out and are still in service, the agreement of the 91Èȱ¬ will also be required. The scale of reductions is set by the 91Èȱ¬ and the Trustee at the beginning of each calendar year. The following percentages are currently in use:

Between birthdays the reduction is proportionate. In cases of incapacity, the Trustee has discretion to waive some or all of the reduction.

For Old Benefits members who do not claim payment of their pension at or before normal pension age their pension may be adjusted by a late payment factor, in addition to any normal pension increases, to reflect the time between normal pension age and when payment of their benefits begins. The rate of this late payment factor is determined by the 91Èȱ¬ and the Trustee. It is subject to periodic review and can go up or down.

Instead of being entitled to a deferred pension from the Scheme you can choose to transfer the value of your Scheme deferred pension to one or more registered pension arrangements in the UK or certain overseas schemes at any time before your pension starts. Alternatively, recognising that some members may want a mix of some pension payable for life plus pension saving that can be accessed more flexibility, when you claim payment of your deferred pension, you may be able to request a partial transfer. More details can be found here.

Unless you confirm otherwise, the Trustee will assume that the purpose of any transfer is to provide defined contribution (DC) benefits under another pension arrangement. The transfer value will be calculated in line with overriding legal requirements and is designed to represent the actuarial value of your benefits. Please contact the Pension and Benefits Centre for further information.

If you choose to transfer your Scheme pension to a DC arrangement, unless its total value is £30,000 or less on the valuation date, the Trustee will be required to check that you have received appropriate independent financial advice from a suitable financial adviser approved by the Financial Conduct Authority. If you are considering transferring your pension please beware of pension scams. Falling foul of a scam could mean you lose some or all of your money. Visit FCA Scam Smart for more information.

Benefits from a DC arrangement are classed as flexible benefits. Different pension providers offer different options in relation to what you can do with your flexible benefits, including the option to select an annuity. Different options have different features, different rates of payment, different charges and different tax implications.

There may be tax implications associated with accessing flexible benefits. Pension income is taxable and the rate at which income from a pension is taxable depends on the amount of income that you receive from your pension and other sources.

Does temporary absence affect my pension?

Unpaid absences in the UK of up to three months

Absences expected to last three months or less (other than those due to sickness) are treated as pensionable service, on condition that:

• contributions are paid by both you and your employer;
• you do not join another occupational pension scheme; and
• there is a definite expectation that you will return to work for the 91Èȱ¬ or a participating employer.

Recovery of contributions is automatic on your return, with the arrears being spread over six months.

Unpaid absences in the UK of more than three months

If your absence is expected to last more than three months, there must be prior agreement to maintain contributions in order for the period of absence to be treated as pensionable service. Both you and your employer must agree with the Trustee before the absence begins that normal contributions will continue.

The same conditions as for absences of three months or less apply and the period of absence should not last for more than 10 years.

If no prior agreement is recorded, your pensionable service ends when your absence begins. You will be treated as having opted out and will become a life assurance member. If you become a life assurance member after 31 March 2011, this benefit will be reduced by any lump sum death benefit payable in respect of your deferred pension (see below). Having opted out, you will not be permitted to rejoin the Scheme (see above).

Unpaid absences outside the United Kingdom

If you are no longer resident in the United Kingdom, you cannot continue to build up benefits in the Scheme. You will be treated as having opted out and will become a life assurance member. If you become a life assurance member after 31 March 2011, this benefit will be reduced by any lump sum death benefit payable in respect of your deferred pension (see below). Such absences are best dealt with individually and should be referred to the Pension and Benefits Centre before they begin.

Sickness absence

All periods of sickness absence are treated as pensionable service. During paid sickness absence, normal contributions are deducted. You will not be expected to make good unpaid contributions if you have a period of unpaid sickness absence.

Family leave

Periods of paid family leave (i.e. maternity, adoption, paternity or parental support leave) are treated as pensionable service and normal contributions are deducted.

If you want the whole of a period of unpaid family leave to count in full as pensionable service, you will need to complete a form, which you can get from the Pension and Benefits Centre. The form needs to be completed and received by the Trustee within three months of your return to work, after which the option lapses. Arrears of contributions will be calculated on your current pensionable salary and must be paid within six months. If you do not make good the arrears, you will be credited with 60% of your unpaid family leave as pensionable service.

Secondments

If you are seconded to work for another, non-participating employer, you can continue to build up pensionable service, on condition that:

• contributions are paid by the non-participating employer and you during the same Scheme year as the pensionable service is earned;
• there is a definite expectation that you will return to work for the 91Èȱ¬, or another participating employer;
• the secondment, in total, does not exceed 10 years; and
• the benefits build up using the pensionable salary that you would have received, if you hadn’t been seconded.

Additional restrictions may apply if your secondment is outside the UK.

Career breaks

If it is agreed that you can take a career break, you will be treated as having left service (see above). If you are re-employed, you will be eligible to re-join the Scheme as an Old Benefits member so long as you do so at the first possible opportunity (i.e. immediately you become eligible).

If you re-join Old Benefits, then your pensionable salary will not be greater than it would have been had you not taken a career break. When planning a career break, you should consider carefully the impact it will have on your pension. Further information is available from the Pension and Benefits Centre.

What happens when I die?

Death in service

If you are an active member and die in service, the following benefits are payable:

A lump sum

The Trustee will make a lump sum payment, which is currently free of inheritance tax. It will be equal to four times your life cover pensionable salary as at the date of your death, together with the total of your own contributions paid to the Scheme with interest. The Trustee has discretion over who receives the cash and in what proportion. They take into account, but cannot be bound by, your wishes. You are therefore asked to let the Trustee know your choice of beneficiaries by keeping your expression of wish form up to date. If your circumstances change, a new form should be completed.

You should read the ‘Death benefits lump sum payments’ additional guide for more information.

A dependant's pension

Your qualifying spouse or qualifying civil partner will receive a dependant's pension calculated as follows:

• it will be two-thirds of the pension you would have received had you remained in pensionable service until normal pension age, but based on your final pensionable salary at the date of your death.

If you have no qualifying spouse or qualifying civil partner, your nominated dependant will receive a pension. A pension paid to a nominated dependant will be reduced by any GMP payable to a widow, widower or civil partner and will not be payable if there are two or more qualifying children.

Example:

Janet dies at age 45 with 15 years' pensionable service. She therefore has a further 15 years' potential pensionable service to normal pension age. Her final pensionable salary at the date of death is £30,000.

The dependant's pension is: 30/60 x £30,000 x 2/3 = £10,000 pa

Children's pensions

Your qualifying children will receive, between them, a pension equal to a third of the pension you would have received had you remained in pensionable service until normal pension age, but based on your final pensionable salary at the date of your death. If no qualifying spouse or qualifying civil partner's pension is payable, the children's pensions will be doubled (subject to a combined maximum of the pension you would have received less any GMP payable).

Death before your deferred pension starts

If you die and have a deferred pension, the following benefits are payable:

A dependant's pension

Your qualifying spouse or qualifying civil partner will receive a dependant's pension calculated as follows:

• it will be two-thirds of the pension you would have received if you had taken it immediately before the date of your death (ignoring any reduction there would normally have been for early payment).

If you have no qualifying spouse or qualifying civil partner, your nominated dependant will receive a pension. A pension paid to a nominated dependant will be halved while any children’s pension is payable and reduced by any GMP payable to a widow, widower or civil partner.

The Trustee may reduce the pension payable to your nominated dependant or, if you were married or registered a civil partnership after leaving service, your qualifying spouse or qualifying civil partner, if they are younger than you by more than 10 years. The Trustee will decide the amount of any reduction after having consulted the Scheme’s actuary.

Your qualifying spouse or qualifying civil partner can choose to take a lump sum cash payment instead of a pension. This option must be exercised within 90 days, after which it lapses. The lump sum will be equal to your own contributions, with interest, less the amount needed to secure any GMP payable to your widow, widower or civil partner.

Children's pensions

Your qualifying children (up to a maximum of two) will each receive a pension equal to a third of the pension you would have received if you had taken it immediately before the date of your death (ignoring any reduction there would normally have been for early payment). If no qualifying spouse or qualifying civil partner’s pension is payable, the children’s pensions will be doubled (subject to a combined maximum of the pension you would have received less any GMP payable).

A lump sum

If no pensions are payable, the Trustee will make a lump sum payment, which is currently free of inheritance tax. It will be equal to five times your deferred pension, with increases to the date of your death. The Trustee has discretion over who receives the cash and in what proportion. They take into account, but cannot be bound by, your wishes. You are therefore asked to let the Trustee know your choice of beneficiaries by keeping your expression of wish form up to date. If your circumstances change, a new form should be completed.

Death after your pension starts

Your pension is payable for life. On your death, provided that you have not taken the partial refund of contributions (see page 8), the following benefits are payable:

A dependant's pension

Your qualifying spouse or qualifying civil partner will receive a dependant’s pension. It will be two-thirds of your full pension with increases to the date of your death. If you have no qualifying spouse or qualifying civil partner, your nominated dependant will receive a pension. A pension paid to a nominated dependant will be halved while any children’s pension is payable and reduced by any GMP payable to a widow, widower or civil partner.

The Trustee may reduce the pension payable to your nominated dependant or, if you were married or registered a civil partnership after leaving service, your qualifying spouse or qualifying civil partner, if they are younger than you by more than 10 years. The Trustee will decide the amount of any reduction after having consulted the Scheme’s actuary

Example:

John retires at age 60. His annual pension is £12,000. He exchanges some of his pension for a cash lump sum and receives a lower pension. He nominates his partner, Janet, as his dependant.

Following John's death, Janet will receive a pension of £8,000 pa for the rest of her life.

(This example assumes that there is no widow's GMP payable, that Janet is not more than 10 years younger than John and there are no children's pension to be paid)

Children's pensions

Your qualifying children will receive, between them, a pension equal to a third of your full pension. If no qualifying spouse or qualifying civil partner’s pension is payable, the children’s pensions will be doubled (subject to a combined maximum of your full pension less any GMP payable).

A lump sum

If you die within five years of your pension starting, the Trustee will make a lump sum payment. It will be equal to the pension payments you would have received for the remainder of the five years at the rate payable immediately before your death, ignoring any levelling adjustment. Alternatively, if you are receiving an incapacity pension and die any time before normal pension age, the Trustee will make a lump sum payment. It will be equal to four times your life cover pensionable salary at the date you left service, less any cash you took in exchange for pension when you retired (see above).

Lump sum payments are currently free of inheritance tax. The Trustee has discretion over who receives the cash and in what proportion. They take into account, but cannot be bound by, your wishes. You are therefore asked to let the Trustee know your choice of beneficiaries by keeping your expression of wish form up to date. If your circumstances change, a new form should be completed.

Divorce or dissolution of a civil partnership

Your pension rights may be taken into account on divorce or dissolution of a civil partnership. The court can order your pension to be divided between you and your ex-partner (i.e. your ex-spouse or ex-civil partner), although this depends on the terms of the settlement.

Couples can choose to offset pension rights against other assets (e.g. the family home) or earmark some (or all) of a member’s benefits to go direct to the ex-partner when they come into payment. Alternatively, pension rights can be shared as part of a clean break settlement. Pension sharing creates a pension credit for the ex-partner and a corresponding pension debit for the member. The Scheme’s current policy is to use a pension credit to make a transfer payment to another pension scheme that will provide retirement benefits for the ex-partner. Scheme membership is not offered to an ex-partner.

The Scheme makes a charge for:

• providing information in connection with divorce proceedings, over and above that which it has a duty to provide free of charge under the existing statutory disclosure requirements;
• compliance with a pension sharing order or agreement; and
• any other activities in connection with pension sharing.

A more detailed explanation of pension sharing, including how the scheme operates a pension sharing order or agreement, and a schedule of its charges is available from the Pension and Benefits Centre.

You should consult and be guided by a suitably qualified family law practitioner on matters relating to divorce or dissolution of a civil partnership.

What pension benefits will I get from the State?

The State will provide you with a pension at State pension age depending on your National Insurance contribution history.

You can find out more about the State pension by visiting Gov.uk.

Old Benefits members were contracted out of the State second pension (known as S2P and formerly known as SERPS) between April 1978 and April 2016. Contracting out ended for all defined benefit arrangements with effect from 6 April 2016. While you were contracted out you paid lower National Insurance contributions and may not be entitled to the full rate of State pension if you reach your State pension age on or after 6 April 2016.

Where can I get help?

You can find lots of help and advice in our help section.

What is the maximum pension I can earn?

Scheme Limits

The Scheme has limits on the contributions you can pay and the benefits you can receive. You can pay contributions, including AVCs, of up to 15% of your earnings (subject to the Scheme earnings cap if you joined the Scheme on or after 1 June 1989) into the Scheme and there is general limit of 40 years’ pensionable service.

If you continue as an active member beyond age 60, your pensionable service is limited to a maximum of 45 years at age 65.

How is the Scheme managed?

Details about how the Scheme is managed can be found in the 'About the Scheme' section.

What if I have a complaint?

The 91Èȱ¬ Pension Scheme has a two-stage procedure to help resolve disputes or complaints. 

HM Revenue & Customs registration

The Scheme is registered for tax purposes with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

Trust Deed and Rules

The Trustee administers the Scheme and pays benefits in accordance with the Trust Deed and Rules. 

Explanation of terms

These terms are in bold type wherever they appear in this handbook.

Active member

Is a member who has not yet left service or opted out, or become a pensioner in respect of the whole of their benefits under the Scheme.

Basic salary

Your basic salary is the amount determined by the 91Èȱ¬ as being your basic salary payable under the terms of your employment contract before Smart Pensions.

Final pensionable salary

Your pensionable salary earned in the last year, calculated on a daily rate before your pensionable service ends.

Full pension

The annual amount of pension immediately before death, as it would have been but for any commutation or levelling adjustment.

Guaranteed Minimum Pension (GMP)

The minimum pension that the Scheme must provide for pensionable service after 5 April 1978 and before 6 April 1997. It is broadly equivalent to the SERPS pension you would have earned had you not been a member of the Scheme. On your death a GMP may be payable to your widow(er) or civil partner, and will usually be included within a dependant’s pension.

Incapacity

Incapacity means physical or mental impairment as a result of which, on the evidence of a doctor or other qualified person appointed by the 91Èȱ¬, the Trustee is satisfied:

• that you are incapable of carrying out your normal occupation; and
• it is likely to permanently and substantially impair your earning capacity.

Life assurance member

An employee who is not an active member, but is covered for a lump sum on death in service.

Life cover pensionable salary

Your basic pay including any other earnings as may be recognised by the 91Èȱ¬ for this purpose before Smart Pensions.

Nominated dependant

A person nominated by you in writing as prescribed by the Trustee and accepted by it as satisfying the requirements set out in the Nomination of a Dependant form, which is available from our website, bbc.co.uk/mypension. 

Normal pension age

Age 60.

Pensionable salary

In any Scheme year, your basic salary including any other earnings as may be recognised by the 91Èȱ¬ as pensionable before Smart Pensions where applicable. From 1 April 2011 the 91Èȱ¬ has limited increases in pensionable salary, subject to the Scheme earnings cap where applicable, to a maximum of 1% each year.

Pensionable service

The number of years and days of membership as an active member.

Qualifying children

Your natural (including any not yet born) and adopted children, and any that the Trustee accepts were financially dependent on you at the date of your death. Benefits are payable to your qualifying children up to age 18 or, at the Trustee’s discretion, up to age 23 while in full-time education.

Qualifying civil partner

The person with whom you have entered into a civil partnership and with whom you are living at the date of your death. If the civil partnership is registered after leaving service, your partner will be treated as a qualifying civil partner only if the civil partnership was registered at least six months before your death. 

Qualifying spouse

The person to whom you are married and with whom you are living at the date of your death. If you marry after leaving the service, your spouse will be treated as a qualifying spouse only if the marriage took place at least six months before your death. 

Scale pension

1/60th of final pensionable salary for each year of pensionable service.

Scheme earnings cap

The pensionable salary limit on which contributions and pension benefits are based. For the 2023/24 tax year it is £205,200. The Scheme earnings cap does not apply to members who joined the Scheme before 1 June 1989.

SERPS

The State Earnings Related Pension Scheme, which was replaced by the State second pension (S2P) in April 2002.

Service

Service as an employee of the 91Èȱ¬ or a participating employer.

State pension age

The age set by the Government from which your State pension is payable. You can find out more about your State pension age by visiting .