Death

When an active member dies, the surviving spouse is entitled to a spouse’s pension, provided at least one of the following conditions is met:

• The surviving spouse is financially responsible for at least one child.
• The surviving spouse is at least 40 years old and was married to the active member for at least two years.
• He or she receives a full disability pension under the Disability Insurance Act or becomes entitled to one within two years following the active member’s death.

Amount of the full spouse’s pension

• If the active member dies before their 65th birthday: two thirds of the insured disability pension
• If an active member who is drawing a retirement or disability pension dies: two thirds of the current pension
• If the active member dies after their 65th birthday: two thirds of the retirement pension accrued at the time of death.

If the deceased was not yet in receipt of a retirement pension, the spouse’s pension may be paid out wholly or in part as a one-time, lump-sum settlement.

If the person dies before drawing a retirement pension, Publica also checks whether an additional lump-sum death benefit can be paid out. This will apply if the available retirement assets are higher than the amount required to fund the spouse’s pension. The surplus is then paid out as a one-time, lump-sum settlement.

When an active member dies, their surviving life partner is entitled to a life partner’s pension, provided at least one of the following conditions is met:

• The surviving person is at least 40 years old and was the insured member’s life partner without interruption for at least the five years immediately preceding the latter’s death.
• The partner is responsible for the care of one or more joint children who are entitled to orphans’ pensions.

The entitlement only applies if you have notified us of the life partnership in writing during your and your partner’s lifetime. The best way to do this is via the myPublica portal for active members, or using the form linked at the bottom of this page. 

Amount of the life partner’s pension

The calculation is the same as with the spouse’s pension. If the deceased was not in receipt of a retirement pension, the life partner’s pension may be paid out wholly or in part as a one-time, lump-sum settlement.

If the person dies before drawing a retirement pension, Publica also checks whether an additional lump-sum death benefit can be paid out. This will apply if the available retirement assets are higher than the amount required to fund the life partner’s pension. The surplus is then paid out as a one-time, lump-sum settlement.

Children of an active member or pension recipient who has died are entitled to an orphan’s pension. Orphans whose parents are both deceased receive a double orphan’s pension. 

Duration of entitlement

Until the 18th birthday. Extended until the 25th birthday if the child is still in education or is at least 70% disabled (under the Disability Insurance Act).

Amount of the orphan’s pension

• If the active member dies before their 65th birthday: one sixth of the insured disability pension
• If a person who was drawing a retirement or disability pension dies: one sixth of the current pension
• If the active member dies after their 65th birthday: one sixth of the retirement pension accrued at the time of death.

If an active member dies and there is no entitlement to a spouse’s or life partner’s pension, PUBLICA will pay a lump-sum death benefit. This will normally correspond to the retirement assets at the time of death. If there is a simultaneous entitlement to an orphan’s pension or a pension for the divorced spouse, the lump-sum death benefit will be reduced accordingly.

The entitlement extends to:

• those who received substantial financial support from the deceased active member;
• the life partner in a notified life partnership, provided the latter continued without interruption for at least five years prior to the death or the person concerned is financially responsible for joint children;
• the deceased’s children;
• the deceased’s parents;
• the deceased’s brothers and sisters (except in the FAOA pension plan).

Please notify the claim within one year of the death. If you do not do so, the money will revert to the pension plan.