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Nominations for death benefits

A lump sum of money could be paid to those who matter to you if you die before and sometimes after claiming your pension. By nominating, you can say who you'd like the money to go to.

What is a nomination?

Your pension isn’t just about you – it’s about those you care about too. By completing a nomination, you let the Trustee know who you'd like a lump sum to go to if you die before, or shortly after, you take your pension.

Why nominations matter

Your Fund pension is considered separately to the rest of your estate when you die and isn’t covered by your will.

If a lump sum death benefit is payable under the Fund rules, the Trustee decides who this should go to.

To help the Trustee make this decision, you can make a nomination. This will let the Trustee know who you would prefer the lump sum death benefit to be paid to. The Trustee does not have to follow your nomination, but it is an important piece of information that it will consider.

Making a nomination could make the process quicker and may prevent delays in any lump sum being paid, which can have tax implications.

You can nominate:
  • an individual or several people
  • charities or good causes 
  • other organisations

Divorce, remarriage and wills do not affect nominations, so if your circumstances have changed it's important to change your nominations, otherwise your previous nominations remain valid.

The lump sum is separate to any pensions that may also be paid to your dependants.

Watch the short video below to understand why nominations are so important.

Video: Protect your loved ones

Watch this short video to find out more about nominating.

How to nominate

The easiest and quickest way to nominate is to log in to your myFund account. Select 'My nominations' and follow the simple steps. It will only take a few minutes. If you haven't got a myFund account, you can register now.

If you have more than one period of membership in the Fund (for example, you’ve been a member of different Sections), you have the option to apply one set of nominations to all of them if you wish. 

Alternatively, you can download and print a nomination form. Once complete, please return it to the Fund administrator, Railpen, using the address on the form.

You can read more about death benefits and how they are paid on the reporting a death page and in your Member Guide when you log into your myFund account.