This depends on when your Pension Sharing Order (PSO) was implemented.
PSO implemented before 1 April 2000
A Pension Credit member can only apply for their lump sum to be paid to their estate rather than their new spouse or civil partner. To do this, they must submit a lump sum on death benefit form (DB1).
They cannot nominate any other person or organisation.
If they’ve not remarried or entered into another civil partnership, any lump sum on death payable is paid to the estate.
PSO implemented between 1 April 2000 and 31 March 2008
A Pension Credit member can nominate one person or organisation by completing a lump sum on death benefit nomination form (DB2 - PC).
A Pension Credit member can apply for their lump sum to be paid to their estate rather than their new spouse or civil partner. To do this, they must submit a lump sum on death benefit form (DB2 - PC).
PSO implemented from 1 April 2008
A Pension Credit member can nominate a single individual, multiple individuals, or a single organisation by completing a lump sum on death benefit nomination form (DB2 - PC).
They cannot request payment of the lump sum on death to be paid to the estate.
If they’ve not made a nomination and have not remarried, the lump sum will be automatically payable to their estate.
If the Pension Credit member has remarried or entered into another civil partnership and wants the new partner to receive any lump sum on death, they do not need to nominate them. They would automatically be entitled to this unless someone different to the spouse or civil partner has been nominated.
They must complete a new nomination form. It does not matter when the PSO was implemented.
Read more information on death benefit nominations on our website.