When a member dies
Death of a scheme member
The benefits payable on the death of a serving PSS member depend on whether the death is determined by the Commissioner of Police to have been caused by the member having been hurt on duty.
If the death is determined as not hurt on duty (NHOD), a gratuity in the form of a lump sum is payable to the deceased member's spouse or de facto partner, or to the estate of the deceased if there is no spouse or de facto partner (which can include a same sex partner).
If the Commissioner of Police determines the death is HOD, the following benefits are payable:
- A fortnightly pension, paid to the deceased member's spouse or de facto partner or the member's mother, father, children or any relatives who, within the meaning of the Workers Compensation Act 1987, were wholly or partly dependent on the deceased.
- An indexed pension for each dependent child, until the child reaches 18 years of age, or up to age 21 if the child continues to be a full-time student in an approved course of study.
- A gratuity in the form of a lump sum paid to the deceased's dependants, up to the amount payable under Division 1 of Part 3 of the Workers Compensation Act 1987.
Similar benefits may also be paid to the spouse or de facto partner and/or dependants on the death of a scheme member after retirement or resignation if the Commissioner of Police determines that the former member's death was caused by the former member having been hurt on duty while a member of the Police Force.
Please refer to PSS Fact Sheet 6: Death benefits for more information.