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The BT Pension Scheme (BTPS) is a defined benefit scheme for people who worked for BT. It is run by a Trustee. When a member dies, it can pay a pension for life to a surviving spouse or civil partner, pensions to dependent children and, in some cases, a lump sum. The Scheme is divided into Sections A, B and C, and the rules differ between them, so the exact figures depend on which Section the member was in and whether they were still working, had left BT, or were drawing their pension.
Use the online form or the member services phone line on the BTPS report a death page. There is a separate number for calls from outside the UK.
BTPS asks for:
It will also ask for the death certificate, and a birth certificate and marriage certificate where relevant. BTPS then contacts you with the information you, or the executor, may need for tax purposes, and writes directly to any beneficiary about pension benefits payable to them.
If the member was already being paid, report the death promptly: payments made after the date of death may need to be returned. See overpaid pensions after a death.
The BTPS says the pension "provides a pension for life for your spouse or civil partner".
In Section A, according to the April 2025 member booklet:
Sections B and C have their own booklets. Ask BTPS which Section the member was in before relying on these figures.
If the member was not married or in a civil partnership, the Trustee has discretion to pay an adult dependant's pension to someone who was wholly or partly financially dependent on them. It can only be paid to one person, who must be over 18.
A pension may be payable for dependent children. The BTPS defines them as under 17, or 17 to 23 and in at least two years' full-time education or training, or over 17 and unable to support themselves because of illness or disability.
In Section A, children's pensions are a quarter of the member's pension for one child and a half for two or more. If there is no surviving spouse, civil partner or nominated dependant, they rise to a third for one child and two thirds for two or more.
The Trustee has absolute discretion over who receives a lump sum. Members can complete an Expression of Wish on the member portal to say who they would like to be considered. BTPS states that "an Expression of Wish is not binding on the Trustee." Because the Trustee pays the beneficiary directly, the lump sum does not normally wait for probate.
See GOV.UK's guide to tax on a private pension you inherit.
From 6 April 2027, most unused pension funds and death benefits come into the estate for inheritance tax. HMRC has said that death in service benefits from registered pension schemes, and dependants' scheme pensions from defined benefit schemes, are excluded, and that benefits passing to a surviving spouse or civil partner stay exempt. See our guide to pensions and inheritance tax from April 2027.
In Section A it is usually half the member's pension, paid for life. After five years of retirement, the full pension is paid for the first 91 days before it reduces. Sections B and C have their own rules.
Possibly. If the member was not married or in a civil partnership, the Trustee can choose to pay an adult dependant's pension to one adult who depended on them financially.
No. The Trustee takes it into account but has absolute discretion over who receives a lump sum.
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