Pension Query!!

gem83_2

hi

I wondered if anyone would be able to give me any advice, I'm not sure if it is a little specific but I would appreciate any input!!

Short story - I am planning on going to university this coming September, I'm 25 years old, and did not go earlier as I left school at 13 after the death of my father, and couldn't cope!!

My brother who is a year younger than me went to university, and while in full time education, within my local authority we were both eligible to receive a proportion of my dads pension, I think this is from his national insurance contributions? Although I'm not sure. He received this for the duration of his course and it helped him immensely!! I think that my mum still receives some of this to this day. We were told that this would be given to us while in education, and I am thinking about asking whether I could have this now seeing as the reason I have not continued with this earlier is due to my leaving school etc.

I am thinking that due to the gap from my last period of study and now, that they will say no. I will obviously write to them and ask, and people will not know specific council policies, but I just wondered if anyone else knew anything about this? Or has experience of how this all works? It is obviously a yes or no answer from them! But I am interested in anyones thoughts!!

Thanks for your time!!

MikeJones_2

Hi gem83,

These are the regulations which apply in law:
- Who is entitled to death benefits payable from a pension scheme?

Whether or not the pension scheme which your father was a member of paid up to these limits would very much depend upon the Scheme Rules applicable at the time your father passed away. These are the current regulations (which were amended with effect from April 2006 - since your father died).

Your circumstances, as you describe them complicate the situation a bit, and I wonder if you could be deemed to be 'dependent' in the strictest sense of the regulations. I don't know, and you're wise to write and find out.

On a personal note, I'd like to know the answer you receive if you don't mind sharing it with us when you receive a reply from the pension scheme.

Hope this helps - and I very much admire your drive and determination.

Mike

I work in the field of Pension Education and Pension Guidance in the UK. I am a member of the Specialist Pensions Forum as well as being a Voluntary Adviser for The Pensions Advisory Service. I work with scheme members, employers, trustees, scheme administrators and advisers on most things to do with employer sponsored pension schemes. The views expressed by me in this thread are my personal opinions. You should seek professional advice from an appropriately experienced and qualified adviser. I am not an IFA.

gem83_2

hi Mike,

thanks very much for the link - looking at that I'm guessing I will not be eligible due to my age! I'm 'old' now obviously!!! I have already prepared myself for every loop hole they can possibly come up with, but I will still ask. As with everything it seems very unfair that the money he has contributed just evaporates into the system now he is now here to benefit from himself! But that's life!! I will let you know what they say however, thanks again for the help

Gemma