Does an unmarried partner get a pension?

In the 2006 and 2015 CARE schemes, yes — a nominated cohabiting partner can qualify for survivor benefits, subject to the scheme's cohabitee eligibility criteria (typically a signed nomination form plus evidence of financial interdependence and cohabitation for at least 2 years). The 1987 scheme historically did not recognise cohabitees for survivor pensions; some transitional provisions apply. Nominating a cohabiting partner correctly during service is essential — do this via your force HR / scheme administrator.

How much do children get?

All three schemes pay a child pension, typically a percentage of the deceased's pension, per eligible child (usually up to age 18 or 23 if in full-time education / vocational training). Rates vary by scheme and by whether a surviving parent-pension is being paid. A single-parent orphan often receives more per child than a child receiving alongside a surviving spouse.

What is death-in-service benefit?

If an officer dies while still serving, the scheme pays: (a) a lump sum, typically a multiple of pensionable pay (3x for the 2015 CARE scheme, similar for others), plus (b) a survivor pension calculated on prospective service — as if the officer had continued to their normal retirement age. This is a significant benefit for young officers with families.

Is the survivor pension index-linked?

Yes. All three schemes' survivor pensions are index-linked to CPI. Payments continue for the survivor's life (or until any specific remarriage conditions in older schemes — check the scheme rules for pre-2006 arrangements).

What happens if the officer had commuted their lump sum?

The survivor pension is calculated on the pension the officer would have received WITHOUT commutation — you don't lose survivor entitlement because the deceased took a lump sum. This is one of the several protections built into police pensions.

How do I nominate a beneficiary?

During service, complete the scheme's Nomination of Beneficiaries form (from force HR or the scheme administrator). Update it after any life event — marriage, divorce, civil partnership, birth of a child, breakdown of a relationship, death of a nominee. An out-of-date nomination is one of the biggest causes of survivor-benefit disputes after death.

Police Widow & Survivor Pension

Survivor benefits under all three police pension schemes — spouse, civil partner, cohabitee, and children.

Unofficial independent resource — always verify with official sources (College of Policing, your force, PFEW).

Reviewed by the BlueLineHub Editorial Team

Last reviewed: 29 May 2026 · Next review due: 29 November 2026

Reviewed by BlueLineHub Editorial

What survivor benefits does the police pension provide?

If a serving or retired police officer dies, the pension schemes pay survivor benefits to the spouse, civil partner, or in the newer schemes a nominated cohabitee, plus child allowances where applicable. The 2015 CARE scheme pays 37.5% of the member's pension to a survivor; the 2006 scheme pays 50% of the member's prospective pension; the 1987 scheme has more complex arrangements including a two-tier structure for spouses versus cohabitees. Death-in-service benefits (multiplied lump sum plus survivor pension) apply if death occurs before retirement.

The three schemes at a glance

Police Pension Scheme 2015 (CARE)

Survivor pension: 37.5% of the member's pension.
Cohabitee eligibility with signed nomination + evidence of interdependence.
Child pension: percentage per eligible child (typically 12.5-25% depending on family structure), payable to age 18 or 23 in full-time education.
Death-in-service lump sum: 3x annual pensionable pay.
Prospective-service survivor pension if death in service.

Police Pension Scheme 2006

Survivor pension: 50% of the member's prospective pension.
Cohabitee eligibility as per 2015 with nomination.
Child pension per eligible child.
Death-in-service lump sum: typically 3x annual pensionable pay.

Police Pension Scheme 1987

More complex two-tier survivor arrangements.
Historically no cohabitee cover — some transitional provisions post-Civil Partnership Act 2004 for civil partners; check scheme rules.
Child pension per eligible child.
Death-in-service lump sum: 2x annual pensionable pay.

What triggers a survivor pension

Death of a serving officer — full death-in-service benefits.
Death of a retired officer receiving pension — survivor pension continues at the % of the deceased's pension.
Death of a deferred pensioner (left service without pension in payment) — survivor benefits on deferred entitlement.

Nomination — the most common trap

The scheme pays according to your Nomination of Beneficiaries form. If your nomination is out of date (still names an ex-partner, doesn't name a new spouse, doesn't include children of a second family), disputes and delays follow. Best practice:

Complete the form when you join the force.
Update it within 3 months of any life event: marriage, divorce, civil partnership, formation or ending of a cohabiting relationship, birth of a child, death of a nominee.
Keep a copy at home with your other important documents (will, death-benefit letter to family).
Confirm periodically with your force pension liaison that the current version is on file — mistakes happen.

Cohabitee eligibility criteria

For the 2006 and 2015 CARE schemes, a nominated cohabiting partner qualifies if they meet the scheme criteria at the date of the member's death:

Signed nomination form on file with the scheme administrator.
Cohabitation for a defined period (typically 2 years) immediately before death.
Evidence of financial interdependence (joint bank accounts, shared bills, mortgage, joint tenancy).
Not in a subsisting marriage or civil partnership with anyone else.

Where a cohabitee claim is disputed, the scheme administrator considers evidence submitted by the surviving partner (utility bills, joint account statements, tenancy agreements). Federation-instructed solicitors have handled these cases historically — if you're a surviving cohabitee whose claim is disputed, engage the Federation early via the deceased's former colleagues.

The McCloud complication

Deaths in service or in retirement of officers affected by McCloud may involve dual scheme calculations (legacy and CARE) for the remedy period. The scheme administrator quotes both; the survivor chooses. See /pensions/mccloud-remedy.

/pensions — pensions pillar overview.
/pensions/2015-care — current CARE scheme.
/pensions/commutation-lump-sum — commutation at retirement.
/pensions/retirement-planning
/support/medical-retirement

Frequently asked

Does an unmarried partner get a pension?: In the 2006 and 2015 CARE schemes, yes — a nominated cohabiting partner can qualify for survivor benefits, subject to the scheme's cohabitee eligibility criteria (typically a signed nomination form plus evidence of financial interdependence and cohabitation for at least 2 years). The 1987 scheme historically did not recognise cohabitees for survivor pensions; some transitional provisions apply. Nominating a cohabiting partner correctly during service is essential — do this via your force HR / scheme administrator.
How much do children get?: All three schemes pay a child pension, typically a percentage of the deceased's pension, per eligible child (usually up to age 18 or 23 if in full-time education / vocational training). Rates vary by scheme and by whether a surviving parent-pension is being paid. A single-parent orphan often receives more per child than a child receiving alongside a surviving spouse.
What is death-in-service benefit?: If an officer dies while still serving, the scheme pays: (a) a lump sum, typically a multiple of pensionable pay (3x for the 2015 CARE scheme, similar for others), plus (b) a survivor pension calculated on prospective service — as if the officer had continued to their normal retirement age. This is a significant benefit for young officers with families.
Is the survivor pension index-linked?: Yes. All three schemes' survivor pensions are index-linked to CPI. Payments continue for the survivor's life (or until any specific remarriage conditions in older schemes — check the scheme rules for pre-2006 arrangements).
What happens if the officer had commuted their lump sum?: The survivor pension is calculated on the pension the officer would have received WITHOUT commutation — you don't lose survivor entitlement because the deceased took a lump sum. This is one of the several protections built into police pensions.
How do I nominate a beneficiary?: During service, complete the scheme's Nomination of Beneficiaries form (from force HR or the scheme administrator). Update it after any life event — marriage, divorce, civil partnership, birth of a child, breakdown of a relationship, death of a nominee. An out-of-date nomination is one of the biggest causes of survivor-benefit disputes after death.