Father Has Terminal Cancer

afc80

My father sadly passed away yesterday. It was very sudden , but all his close family were at his bedside. He died peacefully and it was a release to see him die in peace. He is in a better and more peaceful place today, but we will all miss him. He worked 7 days a week all his life and would do anything for anyone. He was a real old school man who gave his wife his wages each week and was given pocket money.

It is such a shame that he didnt see his 65th birthday as i had just dealt with his state pension application.

I hate to talk about money but it has to be done. My mother is now left alone and has the following, her own state pension of £211 4 weekly and her private pension of £171, 4 weekly. She also has a stocks and shares isa (£4700) , a cash isa of £5100 and savings in the bank of £15,000.

The funeral we think will cost in the region of £2500.

My question is, will her state pension be increased, now that my father has passed away to take into account the contributions he has paid?. and can she do all this over the phone with the Pension Service.

I did ask about pension credit earlier on and it does seem that she will not be entitled.

Many thanks for any advice given.

anmarj

sorry to hear about your dad, her state pension should increase, but becasue your dad was not of state pension age, she will need to ring and let them know (IB should pass on the info but don't always do it) and the process will be taken from there, she does not need to reapply.

DX2

afc80 wrote: »

My father sadly passed away yesterday. It was very sudden , but all his close family were at his bedside. He died peacefully and it was a release to see him die in peace. He is in a better and more peaceful place today, but we will all miss him..

My condolences, may he be at peace now. x

sleepless_saver

I am sorry to hear about your loss.

Your mother might be entitled to a bereavement payment which is £2000. (this would depend on your late father's National Insurance contribution record). She wouldn't get bereavement allowance because she is already claiming state pension. Your local JobCentrePlus can send out a bereavement benefits pack (and it's online too on direct.gov.uk)

As a widow, she might also be entitled to at least part of the state pension he would have had on retirement, in addition to what she gets at the moment subject to an upper limit of £97.65. Have a look at this link from the Pension Advisory Service.

sunnyone

I know you dont want to talk money now at this sad time but £2500 isnt much for a funeral in today market.

afc80

i applied for my late fathers state pension shortly before he passed away.

the letter came through today

He was going to be getting £179.72 per week. What a damn shame that he did not live to get what he had worked for all his life.

the breakdown is as follows

basic state pension £97.65

additional state pension
based on your earnings from 6/4/78 - 5/4/97 £76.90

less contracted out deductions from
6/4/78 - 5/4/97 £33.50

additional state pension to 5/4/97 is £43.40

additional state pension based on
earnings from 6/4/97 - 5/4/2002 £12.10

additional state pension based on your
earnings, caring or incapacity since 2002 £20.12

graduated retirement benefit based on
contributions paid between 1961 and 1975 £6.46


state pension to be paid each week is £179.72


my question is, is my mother going to benefit from what i have just described.

(ie) will her state pension go up to at least £97.65 per week, if not more.


many thanks

afc80

ive just read sleepless savers link and it does look as though my mother will get additional amounts from both my late fathers basic and additional state pension.

Not enough given the tax and ni contributions my dad paid, but better than nothing.

zzzLazyDaisy

I can't contribute to the benefits advice, but I just wanted to offer my condolences to you and your mum xxx

Sublime_2

Just wanted to say hugs. You will get through this
xxx