Death in service guidance for employers

What you need to do as an employer if a member employee dies.

Death in service of an active member

Step 1: Notify Pension Services immediately

Complete a death in service notification form.

Send whatever details you have straight away. You can send further information later as it becomes available.

Step 2: Provide required information

Submit the following information with the notification form or as available.

Annual rate of Assumed Pensionable Pay (AAPP)

  1. Calculate the AAPP using the average pensionable pay for the 3 months (or 12 weeks) before the pay period in which the death occurred.
  2. Convert the average to an annual figure.
  3. Add any regular lump sum payments from the previous 12 months (if allowed under your policy).

Medical certificate

If pay had reduced because of the illness leading to death, submit the relevant IRMP medical certificate.

The certificate allows us to disregard reduced pay and use a more representative figure.

Next of kin details

Provide the contact information you hold so we can confirm eligibility and entitlement.

Death certificate

If available, send a copy of the death certificate with the form.

However, do not delay sending the form if the certificate is not yet available. You can send it later.

Authorisation

An HR or payroll officer recognised by Pension Services must sign the form.

Step 3: Submit leaving and pay details via i‑Connect

Before the 19th of the month following the date of death, your i‑Connect submission must show:

  • 'reason for leaving': Death
  • CARE pay details
  • final pay information - required for calculations

We may delay survivor pensions if we do not receive correct or complete details in good time.