If you’re a locum it’s unlikely you’ll be lucky enough (!) to benefit from any Death In Service Benefits, so you’ll no doubt want to take out a life insurance/assurance policy to cover the deficit. We’ve written an article on this for our members that illustrates the potential huge shortfall that our families could face if we choose to go to the happy hunting ground on the wrong day of the week.
July 13, 2009
There’s still life in ‘Death in Service’
Death in Service benefit can apply to GP locums
There seems to be a leedle bit of confusion over the perceived lack of ‘death in service’ benefits for GP locums. The BMA has recently flagged this up as an issue apparently because on the flu pandemic – something that leaves us here at NASGP a little confused, but I’m sure there’s a good reason somewhere.
Hopefully, we can clarify the situation for you thanks to our friends at the NHSBSA.
Freelance GP locums doget death cover from the NHSPS, even though they may not be tied to a particular PCT/LHB. If [a locum] were contracted to work at a GP Practice as a freelance GP Locum from Monday to Friday however died on the Wednesday you (or rather your family) would get the full death in service benefits; i.e. the same as a GP Provider would. This includes a death gratuity which would be based on twice your average uprated (dynamised) GP Locum pensionable income. A widow’s pension and child allowance may also be payable.
If, however you died on the Saturday (i.e. between jobs) you would fall under ‘the death within 12 months of last pensionable job’ rule. You (or rather your family) would get slightly different death in service benefits. This includes a death gratuity which would be based on three times the value of your accrued annual pension. A widow’s pension and child allowance may also be payable.
Like pretty much any freelancer, we’re not covered by a corporate injury scheme (in our case, the NHS Injury Benefits Scheme which can also pay out a death in service benefit). So, for that, the BMA’s interim advice does apply.
