USS provides valuable benefits to your family or other dependants, if you die whilst paying into the scheme. We could also provide benefits, if you have to stop working because of ill health or incapacity.
For as long as you’re paying in to USS, you get life cover of three times your salary as a lump sum payment and you tell us who you’d like to receive it. All you have to do is complete an Expression of Wish form to nominate who should receive the money if you die whilst paying in to USS. It doesn’t always have to be a person, it could even be a charity or any other organisation capable of receiving the money.
The money is also paid tax free, as it doesn’t form part of your estate for Inheritance Tax purposes. So those you nominate, your beneficiaries, won’t have any unexpected tax charges.
As well as a lump sum payment there’s more that could be paid to your dependants should you die – a pension will also be payable to your spouse or civil partner for life as well as an income for any eligible children too. If you want to register a dependant, simply complete and return the Registration of potential dependant form.
You should review your Expression of Wish and Registration of potential dependant forms at least every three years, to make sure they’re up to date.
Log in to My USS to complete these online or download the Expression of Wish form and Registration of potential dependant form to print and return to us.
You can find out more about life cover and ill health retirement in our dedicated pages. At the moment, due to social distancing advice, you don’t need someone to witness your signature on your forms, but we may contact you in the future to arrange for this.