Bulletin 6: Expression of Wish form guidance

Please distribute this message to all your active pension scheme contributors

A reminder of the importance of members’ keeping their nominations up to date

Given the current situation with COVID-19 the Pension Section is receiving an increased number of completed death grant nominations. Completion of the death grant nomination form is extremely important, as explained below. Please can you ensure this message is sent to all your active pension scheme contributors, in order that they can check their nomination (if they have already made one) and/or complete a death grant nomination form if they wish.

Why should a member complete a Death Grant - Expression of Wish Form?:

• It provides peace of mind that they have done what they can to benefit their nominees.
• It means the payments can be made without waiting for the estate to be settled and therefore are likely to be paid to the beneficiaries more quickly.
• Payment in line with an Expression of Wish Form usually means that no inheritance tax needs to be paid.

A member’s nominees are shown on their online accounts, please encourage members to sign up to view their account so they can check who they have nominated.

Given the current government guidelines regarding COVID-19, I appreciate that it might be difficult to get the form witnessed in the presence of someone. The Leicestershire County Council Pension Fund will be more lenient on how the form is witnessed but it still does need to be witnessed by someone who is over the age of 18 and not one of the beneficiaries. I must stress that you do not break the social distancing guidelines in order to get the form witnessed.