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Pension help for a new widow please

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I've been recently widowed and was receiving about £75 SRP, a week, as I paid Married Women's Reduced Rate stamp. I've been told this will "substantially increase", based on my late husband's contributions, but I can't find this info on any web site.

He was almost 76, and was contracted out, so not paying SERPS, and I'm 68. He also received a private pension. Any info would be gratefully received.


Thank you.


xx
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Comments

  • atush
    atush Posts: 18,731 Forumite
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    Have you contacted the private pension provider to see if there is a widows pension?

    You will at the very least be bumped up to a full state pension on your husbands record. You can claim bereavement benefits. If you income will be low look at pension credit. any stock and shares or cash isas in your husbands name can now be transferred to you w/o losing the tax benefits.


    I would contact age concern or go on their website, and a trip to CAB could help as well?
  • jem16
    jem16 Posts: 19,584 Forumite
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    atush wrote: »
    You can claim bereavement benefits.

    Bereavement benefits would not apply here as both were receiving state pension at the time of death.
  • atush
    atush Posts: 18,731 Forumite
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    Gotcha. Any other help? funeral is means tested I think, and we don't know her means
  • jem16
    jem16 Posts: 19,584 Forumite
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    atush wrote: »
    Gotcha. Any other help?

    None that I'm aware of. I think you've covered most of it.
  • xylophone
    xylophone Posts: 45,604 Forumite
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    edited 13 January 2015 at 3:36PM
    http://www.cashquestions.com/threads/80508-How-much-state-pension-would-my-widow-receive

    "Should you predecease your wife she should be able to get her pension uprated to the full weekly amount for a single person. The maximum amount of additional pension that a widow can inherit depends on her husband's date of birth (see link below) but for anyone born after April 1945 (which could be you!) it is going to be 50% from now on, but again this may depend on how much additional pension she gets in her own right. The link below has all the relevant facts. As you have a private pension, check if that has a survivor spouse pension too. Finally, if you died first and your wife's income was low and she had little in the way of savings she might be entitled to Pension Credit - the Government's minimum income guarantee for pensioners which currently stands at £142.70 a week for a single person."



    This is from a couple of years ago - the MIG is now £148.35 for a single person.

    http://www.savvywoman.co.uk/c7-pages/c7s1.php?art_id=819
  • Thanks for your helpful replies. I originally posted on the Benefits Board and someone PMd me and suggested this one. I've spoken to the DWP and my DH's company pension provider, and I know I won't have to resort to warming my hands over a candle!


    It's just every person who has visited me is an "expert" on these things, though none of them has been in the same position. I think there are so many ifs and buts, and figures are very individual, so I'll just assume that I will get an increase, and wait for The Letter, telling me how much.


    Alas, I do not qualify for any grant and having now received the bills for the funeral costs, I am sure DH is having a right ol' moan Up There!


    xx
  • xylophone
    xylophone Posts: 45,604 Forumite
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    edited 14 January 2015 at 4:26PM
    Glad to hear that there'll be enough to keep you in comfort after so many years of loving and caring in the difficult circumstances of your husband's ill health.
  • Pollycat
    Pollycat Posts: 35,749 Forumite
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    Sorry to hear about your loss, SandraScarlett.

    How long ago did your husband die and when did you notify DWP?

    My Mum was in a similar situation and DWP stopped paying my Dad's state pension the week after he died (we rang to notify them the day he died) and they paid Mum the increased state pension 2 weeks after he died.
    The pension was not quite double what she was getting previously.
  • Pollycat wrote: »
    Sorry to hear about your loss, SandraScarlett.

    How long ago did your husband die and when did you notify DWP?

    My Mum was in a similar situation and DWP stopped paying my Dad's state pension the week after he died (we rang to notify them the day he died) and they paid Mum the increased state pension 2 weeks after he died.
    The pension was not quite double what she was getting previously.


    He died 2 days before Christmas - which would also have been his birthday. The Registrars automatically inform the DWP, and though I registered it the next day, some payments still came through, due to the fact that things were done in advance and everywhere was shut for 2 weeks, including the DWP.


    I dare say they'll let me know what I need to pay back, and work out what they owe me, and it'll all pan out. I've got more things ticked off under the THINGS TO DO list, than those outstanding, so I'm making progress.


    Thanks for your kind words, it's much appreciated.


    xx
  • Thank you all so much for the helpful replies and links. I had to give the DWP a nudge this week, and phoned them, but I now have all the details of my new pension, and back pay.


    And I'll be getting about another £100 a week, which is great. :j I was so chuffed when I received the letter, that I marched into the baker's and bought a piece of home made bread pudding! Wayhay!!


    xx
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