A lump sum death benefit payment is a lump sum paid from a pension scheme following the death of the member or beneficiary.

What payments are taxable

If the member or beneficiary was 75 or over when they died, the following lump sum death benefit payments are taxable:

You should always deduct tax on trivial commutation lump sum death benefit payments through PAYE (Pay As You Earn).

How much tax to deduct

Payments before 6 April 2016

For payments other than trivial commutation lump sum death benefits, you should deduct the special lump sum death benefits charge.

Payments on or after 6 April 2016

For payments other than trivial commutation lump sum death benefits, the amount you deduct depends on who you make the payment to. You should deduct either:

If the lump sum was paid to a trust, and then pays it to a beneficiary, the beneficiary can claim back some or all of the tax.

Information you must provide

Payments before 6 April 2024

If you pay a defined benefits or uncrystallised funds lump sum death benefit, you must provide the following information to the deceased member’s personal representative:

• the amount of the lump sum
• the payment date
• the percentage of the standard lifetime allowance used up by the payment of the lump sum

You must provide this information within 3 months of the final payment.

Payments on or after 6 April 2024

If you pay a tax-free lump sum death benefit, you must provide the following information to the deceased member’s personal representative:

• the amount of the lump sum
• the payment date

You must provide this information within 3 months of the final payment.

If you deduct the special lump sum death benefits charge

You must complete the Accounting for Tax (AFT) Return.

Further information

Read more about lump sum death benefit payments in the Pension Tax Manual.