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The Railways Pension Scheme (RPS) covers people who worked in the railway industry. It is run by a Trustee and administered by Railpen. When a member dies, the Scheme may pay an ongoing pension to an eligible spouse or civil partner, pensions to dependent children, and in some cases a lump sum. The exact benefits depend on the member's Section of the Scheme and whether they were still working, had left, or were already drawing their pension — the member's own Member Guide, in their myRPS account, sets out the rules for their Section.
Report the death to Railpen online or by phone using the contact details on its reporting a death page. Tell Us Once does not cover the Railways Pension Scheme, so you need to contact the Scheme yourself even if you have used Tell Us Once for everything else.
Have these to hand:
Railpen will then contact whoever is dealing with the member's affairs. It asks for the death certificate, a copy of the will if there is one, and its own completed forms. It may also ask possible beneficiaries for proof of identity — a birth certificate, passport, driving licence, utility bill, or a Grant of Probate.
If the member was already drawing their pension, tell the Scheme promptly. Payments made after the date of death may have to be paid back — see our guide to overpaid pensions after a death.
For a defined benefit member who was already drawing their pension, Railpen describes these benefits:
Railpen says that if a member dies before taking their pension, their loved ones "might get a tax-free lump sum", and dependants may also get a pension. The amount depends on the member's Section, so Railpen points members to the Member Guide in their myRPS account rather than publishing a single figure. We do not give one either — ask Railpen what applies to the member's Section.
The Trustee decides who receives any lump sum death benefit. It can consider people the member nominated, people named in the will, and family members who depended on the member financially.
Members make a nomination online in myRPS ("My nominations") or on Nomination Form 705. Railpen is clear that "the Trustee does not have to follow your nomination, but it is an important piece of information that it will consider." Because the Trustee decides, the lump sum is not normally paid to the estate — so it does not usually wait for a grant of probate, although Railpen may still ask to see one as proof of identity.
Railpen warns that "it may take quite some time for any benefits to be paid following a member's death", because the Trustee has to identify everyone who could benefit before deciding. It is worth replying to its letters quickly and keeping copies of everything you send.
GOV.UK explains the rules in tax on a private pension you inherit.
Lump sums paid at the Trustee's discretion are not normally part of the estate for inheritance tax today. 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.
No. The Scheme says Tell Us Once does not apply to it, so you need to report the death to Railpen directly.
Railpen's page on benefits for retired members describes the pension for a spouse or civil partner. Whether a partner who was not married can receive anything depends on the member's Section and on the Trustee, which considers financially dependent family members for lump sums. Ask Railpen what applies.
No. The Trustee will consider it, but does not have to follow it.
Usually not for a lump sum the Trustee pays directly to a beneficiary. Railpen may still ask for a Grant of Probate as one way of proving identity, and money that ends up being paid to the estate is dealt with as part of the estate.
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