The NPS Survivor's Benefit

This benefit is paid out by NSSA to the surviving dependants of a deceased contributor to the scheme.

Who Qualifies?

In order to qualify one must be a surviving dependant of a deceased contributor who at the time of death would have been entitled to an Invalidity or Retirement benefit.

The following categories of individuals are eligible to apply for the survivor's benefit:

Widow/widower provided that the marriage was contracted before retirement or invalidity or
Dependant children of the deceased who are below the age of 18 years and or those who are below 25 years provided they are in full time education. The benefit may also be offered to permanently disabled dependant children who are incapable of supporting themselves regardless of their age or.
The parents of the deceased contributor or.
Any other dependent

N. B. NSSA pays this benefit to the surviving claimant in order of priority, according to the above list. For example if the widow/widower is alive then the Authority will pay them. But if the widow/widower is not there then NSSA will pay the dependent children through the legal guardian.

Pension OR Grant

The survivor's benefit is payable as monthly pension in arrears or as a grant. The benefit paid is directly determined by what benefit the deceased contributor would have been entitled to for example if the deceased was in receipt of an Invalidity or Retirement pension then the survivors benefit will be paid out as a pension. Therefore it also follows that if the deceased was entitled to an Invalidity or Retirement grant then the survivor's benefit will be paid as a grant.

How Is The Benefit Calculated?

The Survivor's benefit is calculated as follows:
Widow/Widower = 40% of the pension or grant the deceased contributor would have been entitled to or was receiving. * If there are more than one spouse they share the 40% equally
Or
Children = 40% of the pension or grant the deceased contributor would have been entitled to or was receiving.

Or
Parents =12% pension or grant the deceased contributor would have been entitled to or was receiving.
Or
Any other dependants = 8% pension or grant the deceased contributor would have been entitled to or was receiving.

When Does One Claim The Survivor's Benefit?

NSSA requires that the survivor submits a claim for the survivor's benefit within 12 months of the death of a contributor.
Please Note Where a contributor was paid a retirement grant or invalidity grant no survivor's benefit is payable !!

Documents Required When Claiming The Survivor's Benefit