Death benefits

With your Horizon pension, you’re already making a valuable provision for your own financial future; however, your pension can also benefit your loved ones if you die whilst you’re a member of the Scheme.

This could make a real difference to them at a difficult and stressful time.

What’s paid to your loved ones will depend on the Scheme Rules in force on the date you stopped earning benefits. Certain death benefits are paid at the discretion of the Scheme’s Trustee, although they will usually follow your wishes when it comes to deciding who should benefit. Benefits will depend on which section of the Scheme you are in but could include the below:

Spouse or civil partner’s pension

This is payable for life and is equal to up to two thirds of your pension at the date of death.

Dependant’s pension

This is paid to an individual who is financially dependent on you if you’re not married or in a civil partnership. It’s paid at the discretion of the Trustee and could be up to two thirds of your pension at the date of your death. Please note the following:

  • The Trustee will assess whether a dependant qualifies in line with criteria set out in the Scheme Rules.
  • The Trustee may stop or reduce a dependant’s pension if the recipient’s circumstances change.

Child’s pension

In general, this is payable to a child up to age 18, or 23 if they are in full time education.

Guarantee period

If you’re receiving your pension and you die within a prescribed number of years after your retirement date, depending on which section of the Scheme you are part of, a lump sum of the remaining payments for that period will also be payable. You can fill out an Expression of Wish to let the Trustee know who you would like any lump sum death benefits to go to.

You should still complete an Expression of Wish even if you have made a Will. Your pension is usually not included as part of your estate, so you should let the Trustee know who you wish to receive your benefits.

An Expression of Wish is needed for each of the pension schemes you are a part of. If you’ve completed an Expression of Wish on paper rather than online then this won’t be available to view in your online member Portal. You can complete an Expression of Wish for Horizon by logging on, or registering (if you haven’t already), to the Portal.

Just go to portal.hartlinkonline.co.uk/horizon to get started.

This information is intended to only be a guide and is based on existing Scheme Rules and legislation. It doesn’t create a legal right to certain benefits in the Scheme. The Scheme Rules may be amended from time to time and benefits payable to your beneficiaries will depend on the Scheme Rules in force on the date you left service. Scheme Rules will override any information provided on this site in all cases.

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