If you are a vested member of a public service pension scheme, the following benefits may be payable to your family or Estate if you die in service:
Will my surviving spouse or civil partner be entitled to a pension?
Will my surviving child/children be entitled to a pension?
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.
When and how is the Death Gratuity paid?
The amount that may be payable to your estate is calculated based on which public service pension scheme you are a member of.
How is the death gratuity calculated for Old Entrant and New Entrant Pension Scheme members?
- 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.
How is the death gratuity calculated for Single Public Service Pension Scheme members?
What are the procedures following the death of a teacher?
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.
What is the importance of making a will?
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.
Summary of Procedures to be adopted on the Death of a Teacher or Spouse of a Teacher
- 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.