Death

What happens if death occurs?

If an insured person dies, the surviving dependants are entitled to the following benefits:

  • Spouse's pension or unmarried partner's pension
  • Orphan's pensions
  • Lump-sum death benefit

For an unmarried partner to be able to claim a pension, the insured person must have notified the Pension Fund of the civil partnership during their lifetime and before their retirement by submitting the Registration cohabitant form.

If an insured person dies before the age of 65, a lump-sum death benefit is paid out to the surviving dependants in addition to the pension benefits or unmarried partner's pension.

 

FAQs | frequently asked questions

How much is the annual orphan's pension?

If an insured person dies before retirement pension payments start, the annual orphan's pension equals 20% of the disability pension. If an insured person dies after the start of retirement pension payments, the annual orphan's pension equals 20% of the retirement pension.

The personal values appear on page one of the current individual pension certificate. These amounts are listed under risk coverage.

How much is the annual spouse's/partner's pension?

If an insured person dies before the start of retirement pension payments, the annual spouse's pension equals 60% of the disability pension. If an insured person dies after the start of retirement pension payments, the annual spouse's pension equals 60% of the retirement pension.

The personal values appear on page one of the current individual pension certificate. These amounts are listed under risk coverage.

Can a lump sum be requested instead of the payment of a spouse's pension?

Yes, a once-off lump sum can be drawn instead of a full or partial spouse's pension.

Can I appoint my unmarried partner (cohabiting partner) as a beneficiary if I am not married?

The insured person can inform PKL at any time that they have established a domestic partnership and register the unmarried partner that has to be appointed as a beneficiary. The entitlement of an unmarried partner to benefits will only be determined on the basis of the actual situation at the time death occurs.

To register a domestic partnership, the form below must be completed and emailed to pensionskasse@lonza.com.

Registrierung Lebenspartner (DE)

Registration cohabitant (EN)

Can I determine the division of the lump-sum death benefit myself?

The insured person can submit a written declaration to PKL in which they determine which persons in the beneficiary categories are entitled to what part of the lump-sum death benefit.

To do this, the form below must be completed and emailed to pensionskasse@lonza.com.

Begünstigtenerklärung (DE)

Declaration of beneficiaries (EN)

What documents does the pension fund require when an insured person dies?

Please inform us in the case of the death by e-mail (pensionskasse@lonza.com) and send us the official death certificate and a copy of the subsequently registered family record book. If the deceased was married, please also send us the bank details of the surviving spouse (including a copy of the bank card).

What should I consider with regard to a lump-sum payment?

A written declaration that a lump-sum payment is preferred must be submitted to PKL before the first pension payment is made.

What will happen to my voluntary purchases and my additional savings contributions (voluntary contribution plans) when I die?

Upon death, voluntary purchases purchases (as of 01.01.2016) and additional savings contributions (voluntary contribution plans) are paid out to the survivors as a lump-sum death benefit. This only applies in the event of death before drawing a retirement benefit.

Who is entitled to an orphan's pension?

Upon the death of an insured person, their children younger than 18 or younger than 25 if they have not yet finished their education are entitled to an orphan's pension.

Who is entitled to death benefits?

If an insured person, old-age or disability pensioner dies, the surviving spouse is entitled to a spouse's pension. The surviving partner of an unmarried insured person or an insured person not living in a registered partnership is treated in the same way as a surviving spouse after his/her death.

Who is entitled to survivors' benefits if I die and I am not married and have not registered a civil partnership?

If an unmarried person who has not registered a domestic partnership dies, the adult children of the deceased person are entitled to the lump-sum death benefit. If there are no children, the parents and siblings of the deceased person are entitled to equal shares of the lump-sum death benefit.

Who should I contact if I have questions about my pension certificate?

Please contact the pension fund employees directly if you have any questions about your pension certificate.

To do this, you can use the contact form or send us an email (pensionskasse@lonza.com).