Entitlement to bereavement allowance?

SparkyG

My friend is 50, married, and working part time (low income). They have a 13 year old son. Her husband is 65 and draws the basic state retirement pension.

Unfortunately he has terminal cancer, and is not expected to live for more than a few weeks. He is desperately worried that his state pension is going to 'die with him' and that his widow will not be entitled to anything. I have been looking on the government websites, and it is all so confusing, and I can't seem to find any info that directly relates to their situation.

Does anyone have any ideas? Will his widow be entitled to an amount similar to the basic state retirement pension?

Thank you

Lady_E

Not sure if this will be helpful , but does the husband have any work related pensions paid to him because I know from my mother in law , that she has monthly payments made to her , since the death of my father in law. I dont think that the question of the age of the wife is relevant but I am not sure.

This must be a really hard time for them, and it is good to know that she has a friend willing to ask questions which maybe she cant bear to ask . Well done for doing that

SparkyG

Thank you, but no, he doesn't have a work related pension. He has a small private pension fund which has not yet been invested as he has only been retired a few months. They have an independent adviser working on it.

No replies about the private pension please, only the entitlement to state benefit.

Thank you

jem16

SparkyG wrote: »

My friend is 50, married, and working part time (low income). They have a 13 year old son. Her husband is 65 and draws the basic state retirement pension.

Unfortunately he has terminal cancer, and is not expected to live for more than a few weeks. He is desperately worried that his state pension is going to 'die with him' and that his widow will not be entitled to anything. I have been looking on the government websites, and it is all so confusing, and I can't seem to find any info that directly relates to their situation.

Does anyone have any ideas? Will his widow be entitled to an amount similar to the basic state retirement pension?

Thank you

Bereavement Payment is a one-off payment of £2000 and would be payable in this case. Widow has to be under 60 and would be entitled to it provided her husband has paid enough NIC.

She would also be due Widowed Parent's Allowance as long as she is receiving child benefit for her 13 year old son - so approximately 5 years. The amount payable is dependant on her husband's NICs. It will be at least £87.30pw and may well be more. I received around £160pw. This is taxable.

After her child reaches 18, if in full time education, this payment would stop. She would be entitled to no more until she reaches pension age. At that point her pension would be calculated, either on her own contributions, or that of her husband if better. I'm not at that stage yet although a pension forecast seems to suggest that I will get a small sum from my late husband's additional pension allowance before he was contracted out. My own NICs will be enough for a pension in my own right but I have no additional pension allowance as I'm contracted out.

If you need any more information try here;
http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/Customers/WorkingAgeBenefits/Dev_008411.xml.html

EdInvestor

He has a small private pension fund which has not yet been invested as he has only been retired a few months. They have an independent adviser working on it.

Just an alert about this: if this fund has NOT been "vested" (ie tax free cash paid out and money invested to provide pension/annuity or drawdwon income)and he dies, then the whole fund can go to his widow in cash.

If it has been put into income drawdown, his widow can get the fund in cash, but minus a 35% tax charge.

If it is used to buy an annuity (Don't!) then the fund will be lost to the insurance company, though the pension income might continue for a few years.

SparkyG

That's what we're looking at - not investing the fund until he dies, so that the whole amount goes to his widow.

Thanks

firesidemaid

very sorry to hear of your friend and her family's situation.

is your friend currently claiming carer's allowance and her husband getting the fast-track DLA also?

wishing you all the best.

swampduck

So sorry to hear about your friend and her family - some useful information can obtained on https://www.ifishoulddie.co.uk


My best wishes to all at this traumatic time


Swampy