Farra is a death administration assistant for UK families. Get step-by-step guidance for registering a death, applying for probate, notifying banks, and managing bereavement admin. From essential documents to practical checklists, Farra simplifies estate paperwork and funeral-related tasks so you can focus on what matters.
Need to apply for probate?
Answer 15 questions and we'll tell you exactly what to file, in what order — from £95.
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 — Mon–Fri 8:30am–5:30pm
Call 0300 123 6666 or use the contact form at civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk. The scheme is administered by MyCSP (My Civil Service Pension).
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. Under the alpha scheme (post-2015), this is typically 3 times the member's annual pensionable earnings for active members. Under older schemes (classic, premium, nuvos), different rules apply.
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 typically takes 4–8 weeks to process a bereavement notification once all required documents have been received.
During this period, accounts or services will typically be frozen until the estate is administered. This 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.
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.
Nest Pensions bereavement: 0300 020 0090 (Mon–Fri 8am–8pm). Government-backed workplace pension. Nomination of beneficiary, trustees' discretion, may bypass probate. Full guide.
The People's Pension bereavement: 0300 2000 555 (Mon–Fri 8am–8pm). Workplace pension — expression of wishes, trustees' discretion, may bypass probate. What documents needed. Full guide.
Standard Life bereavement: 0345 606 0095 (Mon–Fri 9am–5pm). Part of Phoenix Group. Pension pot outside probate, expression of wishes, trustees' discretion. What documents needed. Full guide.
Scottish Widows bereavement: 0345 716 6777 (Mon–Fri 9am–5pm). Lloyds Banking Group. Pension, annuity, life insurance. Expression of wishes, trustees' discretion. What documents needed. Full guide.
Prudential bereavement: 0345 640 4000 (Mon–Fri 9am–5pm). Pensions and annuities. Expression of wishes, trustees' discretion, may bypass probate. What documents needed. Full guide.
Ready to apply for probate?
Answer 15 questions and we'll tell you exactly what to file, in what order, and what to do when it gets complicated.
Get started →Free to start · from £95