On the death of a public officer a gratuity equivalent to one (1) year's salary will be awarded to the legal personal representative. However, for officers who are not members of the Pensionable Staff and with less than five (5) years service, a gratuity equivalent to one-half (1/2) year's salary will be awarded to the legal personal representative.

In the case of a public officer who dies after the completion of thirty (30) years service, or age 55 years, the legal personal representative would be awarded a gratuity equivalent to the amount of gratuity benefit that would have been paid to the officer as if he had retired on the date of death. However, if this gratuity calculates to be less than the officer's annual salary, then the one (1) year's salary will be awarded instead.

Upon the death of a serving officer family members should consult the agency to determine whether or not they are eligible for an award of benefit.  The agency should in turn consult with the Department of Public Service.  The benefits and awards described below are for public officers who qualify for benefits under The Pensions Act, Chapter 43 of the Statute Laws of The Bahamas.

Any public officers officially appointed to the public service and serving at the time of death.    

The following officers should refer to the relevant act for Benefits and Awards for further information:

• Judges – Judges Remuneration and Pensions Act
• Members of The Royal Bahamas Police Force – The Police Force Act 2009
• Prison officers – The Prison Act
• Officers of The Royal Bahamas Defense Force – The Defense Force Act

1. The family member must notify the agency of the officer’s death and submit the Death Certificate to Human Resource Department.
2. The supervisor/HR must then complete a Request for Benefit Form and submit it to the PS/Head of Department for signing.
3. The PS/Head of Department must then prepare and submit a recommendation to the Permanent Secretary of the Department of Public Service.
4. The Department of Public Service will verify accuracy of the employee information and compute the benefit that is due to the officer.
5. A recommendation is then prepared for the Public Service Commission for final consideration.
6. The Public Service Commission makes a final determination regarding the benefits due to the officer and returns this to the Department of Public Service.
7. The Department of Public Service will then prepare a letter to the Legal Personal Representative of the officer advising them of the amount of the benefit.
8. At this point the file is then passed on to the accounts section of the Department of Public Service who will prepare a voucher for the gratuity.  Note, the voucher will be prepared once a “Letters of Administration/Probate” is received from the Legal Personal Representative.
9. The Legal Personal Representative (LPR) must contact the Treasury Department regarding the collection of their cheque.  Note, to collect the cheque the LPR must present the “Letters of Administration/Probate” and photo identification to the Pension Section of the Treasury Department.

Request for Benefit form

The following original documents must be submitted:

By family member/Legal Personal Representative

• Death Certificate
• Birth Certificate
• Passport
• Letters of Administration/Probate

By the agency’s HR department:

• All submission by family member/LPR
• Proof of Unpaid Leave
• Memorandum verifying that the officer is not indebted to the government
• Salary Progression
• Letter of appointment to the Public Service
• Copies of Blue G vouchers for each quarter of the last five years of service (for Family island employees)

Not Applicable

The Department of Public Service
Poinciana Hill Complex
Meeting Street
Nassau, New Providence
The Bahamas
Tel.  (242) 502 7200
Fax. (242) 326 6929
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays