What is it?
The Bereavement Benefit is an accrued benefit designed to assist your next of kin at that difficult time. Members will accrue £200 per annum for the first 5 years of membership, and £10 per annum thereafter (a total of £1100 after 15 years membership and £1200 after 25 years membership) until retirement. At retirement the benefit is capped and remains available for as long as membership is continued as a non working member. Unfortunately if the member chooses not to remain a retired member of the union, the benefit is lost. If a member has accrued a Bereavement benefit and becomes unemployed, they retain their capped benefit if they remain a non-working member. When they return to work, they will continue to accrue their bereavement benefits. This enhanced benefit will be active from 1 January 2008 and will be backdated and applicable to all members.
How to get it….
Application forms are available from your Branch Secretary, Regional Office or the Website. Completed application forms must be accompanied by a copy of the death certificate.
Bereavement benefit Application Form
Bereavement Benefit Calculator
Community has developed this Excel spreadsheet to allow members to calculate the value of their accrued Bereavement Benefit.