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Royal Mail's pension arrangements were split on 1 April 2012. Benefits built up before that date are now paid by the Royal Mail Statutory Pension Scheme (RMSPS), a government scheme administered by Capita. Benefits built up from that date are paid by the Royal Mail Pension Plan (RMPP). Someone who worked for Royal Mail on both sides of the date is a 'joint member' with benefits in both schemes. Each scheme pays its own survivors' benefits, and each needs to be told about the death.
The RMSPS explains that if someone was "a member of the Royal Mail pension scheme before and after 1 April 2012 then you are known as a 'joint member'":
If you are not sure, contact both. Old payslips, pension statements or the Annual Benefit Illustration show which scheme and Section the member was in.
To the RMSPS: use the RMSPS contact page as soon as possible. Have ready:
The RMSPS then contacts that person for anything else it needs to work out the benefits due.
To the RMPP: use the death notification form or the Pensions Service Centre contact details on the Royal Mail Pension Plan website.
If the member was being paid a pension, tell the scheme promptly. Payments made after the date of death may have to be repaid — see overpaid pensions after a death.
The RMSPS asks the surviving spouse or partner to confirm their marital status each year. Remarriage, a new civil partnership or cohabiting can affect the pension.
Because the Grant of Representation is on that list, it is worth asking the RMSPS early whether it needs one in your case. Our guide to applying for probate explains how long a grant takes.
If the member dies before taking their pension, the RMPP describes these benefits:
If the member had started their pension, the spouse or civil partner's pension continues. If the member died within five years of starting it, a lump sum is paid too. In Section C, this equals the rest of the pension that would have been paid up to the end of the five years.
In Section B, a pension can also be paid to someone who was financially dependent on a member who was not married or in a civil partnership. Members tell the RMPP who they would like to receive benefits through its online portal or the Pensions Service Centre, so ask the scheme whether the member left any wishes.
See tax on a private pension you inherit on GOV.UK.
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.
If the member worked for Royal Mail both before and after 1 April 2012, yes. Their benefits are split between the RMSPS and the RMPP, and each pays its own death benefits.
The RMSPS says remarriage, a new civil partnership or cohabitation can affect the spouse's pension, and it asks for yearly confirmation of marital status. Ask the scheme how this applies to the member's Section.
Its list of documents includes the Grant of Representation, so ask it at the start whether it needs one for the benefits in your case.
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