Highlights In This Section
Are you saving enough?
Find out how much your lifestyle could cost when you retire and how to work out if your savings are on track.
Try it nowWho will inherit your pension?
Recent research by Aviva*, has revealed that almost 15% of UK adults don’t know who will get their pension benefits if they die before taking them. And a further 3% are worried they could go to their ex-partner, rather than the person they’re currently with.
Read on to find out who could benefit from your pension in the Amey Scheme, and how to have your say on where the money goes when you die…
Who can benefit from my pension?
The benefits that can be paid when you die are set by the Scheme Rules and Trustee.
As a general overview…
Your death benefits may include:
- a tax-free cash lump sum
- a pension for a spouse, children or other dependant
Can I have a say in where the money goes?
Who gets your lump sum is at the discretion of the Trustee.
You can let them know who you think the lump sum should be paid to by making an Expression of Wish.
While the Trustee does not have to follow your Expression of Wish, it is an important piece of information that it will consider.
Making an Expression of Wish could also make the process quicker and may prevent delays in any lump sum being paid, which can have tax implications.
An Expression of Wish only applies to any cash lump sum that may be paid out. It does not affect who can get a pension from the Scheme if you die. This is set out in the Scheme Rules, and is typically limited to a spouse, children or other dependant.
How to make/change an Expression of Wish
To make or change an Expression of Wish, you can download and print a nomination form. Once complete, please return it to the Scheme administrator, Railpen, using the address on the form.
You can find out more on the Expression of Wish page.
Please remember to check and update your wishes regularly, as the person or people you want to benefit may change over time and it’s important the Trustee knows your wishes are up to date.
*https://www.aviva.com/newsroom/news-releases/2025/05/do-you-know-who-will-inherit-your-pension/
Matt Riley
Manager
Matt joined Zedra Governance Limited (formerly PTL) in January 2008 having previously worked for Mercer Limited, Hazell Carr and Prudential.
As a Manager for the company's Birmingham Office, Matt’s responsibilities include working closely with Client Directors and individually liaising with Employers, Trustees and Members to ensure the smooth running of their pension schemes. Matt’s current portfolio of clients covers ongoing, paid-up and winding-up schemes. In addition, Matt has experience of schemes that have transferred or are in the process of transferring to the Pension Protection Fund and Financial Assistance Scheme. Matt also works closely with clients in relation to risk registers and internal controls.
Matt particularly enjoys resolving issues in a fair and pragmatic way ensuring that the right result is reached for the member or employer.
Sam Burden
Client Director
Sam Burden joined Zedra Governance (formerly PTL) in 2022. He is an Accredited Professional Pension Trustee (AMAPPT) and an Associate of the Pensions Management Institute (APMI)
Sam has more than 25 years’ experience in the pensions industry gained with WTW, KPMG, and Standard Life working with a wide range of pension schemes and sponsoring employers. His trustee appointments include DB, DC and hybrid pension schemes and he has experience of handling a broad range of projects relating to the management of pension schemes.
Beyond his pensions experience Sam is a former Birmingham City Councillor where he chaired the audit committee and a current charity trustee.
Payam Kazemian
Client Director
Payam Kazemian joined Zedra Governance Limited (formerly PTL Governance Limited) in 2021. He is an Accredited Professional Pension Trustee (AMAPPT) and an Associate of the Pensions Management Institute (APMI).
Payam has more than 17 years of experience in the pensions industry. Through his current role as a professional trustee, as well as previously as a pension’s de-risking and investment structuring expert at financial institutions including Goldman Sachs and Deutsche Bank, he has had overall responsibility for creating investment, de-risking, journey planning, and governance solutions for a wide range of UK DB pension schemes. He currently holds a number of board positions (as Chair of Trustees) and sole trustee in his professional trustee capacity. Payam has been involved with a number of pensions projects including pensions buy-in, pensions buy-out, GMP equalisation, investment strategy reviews, and dialogue with the pensions regulator. Payam looks to create and believes in a collaborative relationship between the sponsor, the trustee, and all other parties involved as this results in best member outcomes and helps deliver pragmatic solutions for scheme. Aside from his pensions experience, Payam holds a Ph.D. in Materials Science from the University of Cambridge.