Spouse’s pension (Medas members who have taken their retirement benefits)

Spouse’s pension (Medas members who have taken their retirement benefits)

The Plan will pay a pension to your surviving spouse or civil partner. The amount will be equal two thirds of your pension. The pension paid to your surviving spouse or civil partner will not be reduced if you chose to take a tax-free cash sum at retirement.

Under the Rules, your spouse or civil partner is not automatically entitled to a pension if:

• they didn’t live with you at the date of your death
• your marriage/civil partnership took place less than six months before your death

However, the Trustee may award a spouse’s pension at its discretion. If the Trustee does award a spouse’s pension, and if your surviving spouse or civil partner is more than 10 years younger than you, the Trustee can reduce the level of pension they are paid. This can be by up to 2.5% for each full year they are younger than you.

Additionally, if you left the Plan before 17 May 1990, the amount of pension payable to your surviving spouse or civil partner may be different. If this affects you, and you would like to know more, please get in touch with Trafalgar House.