Bereavement Payment and Deferring Pension

Be_Happy

I was reading an article on Death Benefits yesterday and came across a point I wasn't aware of:

I knew that there is a Bereavement Payment of £2000 payable to widow, widower or civil partner when someone dies and that there is NO payment if the bereaved person is over state pension age AND the deceased person is in receipt of state pension. I had not realized though that the payment is payable if the deceased person is deferring their state pension. Seems the important wording is 'in receipt of'.

There are strict time limits for claiming the payment so bear this in mind. I'm deferring my OAP, so pointed this out to OH.

scotsbob

Be_Happy wrote: »

I knew that there is a Bereavement Payment of £2000 payable to widow, widower or civil partner when someone dies .

Really? Do you have a link for this?

I doubt that Every widow or widower gets an automatic £2000 unless they are under pension age. With respect, you may wish to check that out


http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/Customers/WorkingAgeBenefits/Dev_008417.xml.html

Be_Happy

Hi Scotsbob yes there is a payment of £2000 to every widow, widower or civil partner when someone dies if they are under pension age. I should have added if they have paid enough NI contributions.

You will see I mentioned that they don't get it if they are over pension age and the deceased was in receipt of their pension.

The payment has usually to be claimed, although I'm sure the Registrar will mention this when registering the death.

Forties_gal

You have to keep ringing the pensions people till you get somebody who knows. Having been told that I wasn't entitled, on the tenth phone call I got somebody who told me that I was entitled to the £2000 and had it in my bank account within a week. I am over pension age, have deferred my pension and my late husband was under pension age. Both paid up NI.

Be_Happy

Glad you finally got paid, Forties Gal. The criteria are so confusing, it's no surprise people don't know. As far as I understand it, the basics are

Bereaved under pension age - paid regardless of deceased's age or pension.
Bereaved over pension age - paid if deceased was under pension age, or was deferring pension.

All dependent on NI contribution status.

sharon59

thanks very much to OP for this-am adding it to my list for hubby.I am terminally ill and 50 and paid up NI so he should be entitled to claim.may not have known if not spotted here!

Be_Happy

Sorry to hear of your illness sharon59.

Do you also know that what used to be called Widow's Pension is now called Bereavement Allowance and is payable to widows, widowers and civil partners aged between 45 and state pension age. It lasts for a year, is paid at different rates depending on age and again requires NI contributions record.

Details on www.direct.gov.uk

Note if there are children involved then Widowed Parent's Allowance is paid instead of above.

hoppys

I also was unaware about the Bereavment Payment until i saw a notice on the board at registering the death. I called the number to inquire, i received £2000 + 12 months Bereavment Allowance