1. A person financially dependent on a pension scheme member (or pensioner) but the term is defined precisely in the scheme rules. The IR automatically regards spouses and children as dependants as the later of age 18 or end of full time education/training. 2. Under employment relations legislation (right to take time off) a dependant is a husband, wife, child, parent or anyone living with the employee as a part of his family. Taking time off to deal with emergencies for dependants does not breach the employment contract. 3. See FATAL ACCIDENTS ACT.