Death in Service

If you are survived by an eligible spouse or civil partner, they may be eligible to receive a pension. See our section on the Spouses’ and Children’s Pension for further information.

If you are survived by an eligible dependent child, they may be eligible to receive a pension. An eligible dependent child is generally a child under the age of 16, or under the age of 22 if they are in full-time education, there is no age limit for a child who is permanently incapacitated.

The amount that may be payable to your surviving spouse, civil partner or dependent children depends which Spouses’ and Children’s Pension Scheme you are a member of. More details on the various schemes is available here.

Where a teacher dies in pensionable service, a death gratuity is payable to the teacher’s legal representative on production to the Department of Education of Letters of Administration or Grant of Probate of Will.

The amount that may be payable to your estate is calculated based on which public service pension scheme you are a member of.

For members of the Old Entrant Pension Scheme and the New Entrant Pension Scheme, the gratuity will be the greater of

• one year’s pensionable salary and allowances at the rate applicable at the date of death of the teacher, or
• 3/80ths of the annual rate of pensionable salary multiplied by the length of pensionable service.*

* Where a teacher dies in service pensionable service is made up of actual service plus added years, similar to the calculation for disability retirement.

For members of the Single Pension Scheme, the gratuity will be up to two times the pensionable earnings in the twelve months before the teacher’s death, payable to your Estate.

As soon as is convenient, notify the Pensions Section of Department of Education, asking for a declaration of monies due to the estate by way of death gratuity, and balance of salary and allowances. Details of monies due from other sources should also be sought for inclusion in the total estate. If the teacher has made a will, an extraction of a Grant of Probate of the will should be sought, at the nearest Probate Office, or at the Central Probate Office, Four Courts, Dublin 7.

If a will has not been made an extraction of a grant of Letters of Administration should similarly be sought. An extraction of a Grant of Probate, or Letters of Administration, may be obtained for a small fee, if reference to a solicitor is not desired.

Teachers may contact The Central Probate Office, First Floor, 15-24 Phoenix St North, Smithfield, Dublin 7, D07 X028. Tel 01 888 6174.

Everybody is strongly advised to make a will, since this will avoid inconvenience and possible dispute, leading to a sale of property and goods. It is also recommended that both spouses or civil partners in a relationship have individual  separate wills.

When making a will the declaration should be as simple and unambiguous as possible and should be witnessed by two persons. The will should also declare the identity of an executor, or possibly two executors. For obvious reasons, at least one executor should be younger than the person making the will.

There are District Probate Registry Offices in the following areas:
Cavan, Clonmel, Cork, Dundalk, Galway, Kilkenny, Letterkenny, Limerick, Mullingar, Sligo, Tralee, Waterford, Wexford.

1. Inform the Department of Education

Inform Primary Payroll or the Retired Teacher’s Payments Section (as relevant) in the Department of Education & Skills, Cornmaddy, Athlone, Co. Westmeath of the death in writing, quoting the payroll/pension number of the deceased and request:-

• Details of death gratuity and other monies due to the deceased’s estate;
• Application form for Spouse’s and Children’s Pension (if applicable);
• Application form for children’s allowances for any eligible dependent children.

Any pension/pay cheque for the deceased which arrives after the death must be returned to the Department for re-calculation. Pay or pension which has been paid directly into a bank account will be recouped by the Department themselves and again will be re-calculated up to the date of death.

2. INTO Death Grant

• Paid to a member on the death of their spouse or to the estate of a member who dies.
• Request an application form from Branch Secretary or Head Office.

3. Social Welfare Widows/Widowers Contributory Pension

• Claim forms are available from all Social Welfare offices.

4. Health Insurance

• If VHI contributions were deducted from the deceased teacher’s salary it will be necessary to contact VHI to make alternative arrangements.
• Your health insurance provider should be informed of the death in order to ensure continuing cover for surviving spouse/family members. Quote reference number. This should be done as soon as possible after the death by telephone call and followed by a letter.

5. Income Tax

• Notify Inspector of Taxes for Public Departments.
• Send a death certificate and ask for a review of taxation

6. Will

Probate will or take out Letters of Administration.