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When someone dies, notifying Civil Service Pension is one of the key tasks for the executor or next of kin. This guide explains exactly who to contact, what to say, what documents you will need, and how long Civil Service Pension takes to process a bereavement notification.
Civil Service Pension bereavement contact details
Phone: 0300 123 6666
Online: Civil Service Pension — tell us someone has died
Last verified: June 2026
Spotted a change? Email our team if a number, email, or link on this page is out of date and we'll update it straight away.
Call the bereavement team on 0300 123 6666, or use the death notification form at civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk. Anyone can notify them — spouse, partner, family member, executor or solicitor. The scheme has been administered by Capita since 1 December 2025, taking over from MyCSP.
You will need the deceased's full name, date of birth, National Insurance number, date of death, and their Civil Service Pension reference number (found on any pension statements or correspondence).
A lump sum may be payable depending on the scheme section. In alpha, a death in service pays the greater of twice the member's final pay less any lump sums already paid, or five times the annual pension less pension already paid (regulation 130); a death out of service pays five times the annual pension less pension already paid (regulation 131). The legacy sections — classic, classic plus, premium and nuvos — work differently, so ask which section applied.
A spouse, civil partner, or nominated partner may be entitled to a pension. The amount depends on the scheme the member was in and their length of service.
Have multiple certified copies of the death certificate ready. Banks and financial institutions each require an original or certified copy — you cannot usually pass a single copy between organisations. See our guide to how many death certificates you need.
Civil Service Pension does not publish a processing time, so we do not give one. Ask when you notify them, and ask for a reference so you can chase it.
Accounts or services are usually frozen until the estate is administered, which means no new transactions can be authorised.
Some government departments and agencies have their own pension arrangements (e.g. armed forces, judiciary, police, firefighters) which are entirely separate from the Civil Service Pension Scheme. Check which scheme the deceased belonged to. If the member was already drawing their pension, notify the scheme promptly — payments continue until it is told, and any overpayment is reclaimed from the estate.
Once Civil Service Pension receives your notification and confirms receipt, the account or service will be frozen and no new transactions will be authorised. Estate administration can then begin.
Civil Service Pension will confirm receipt of your notification and advise you of any next steps required to close or transfer the account or policy. Keep a record of all correspondence and reference numbers for the estate file.
Do not delay notifying Civil Service Pension
Direct debits and standing orders may continue to be charged after death. Some organisations treat the estate as the debtor for any charges incurred before notification. Notifying Civil Service Pension promptly protects the estate from unnecessary costs.
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