Workplace pension death in service.

shazz

Hope someone can offer some advice, my husband passed away on the 16 th July, his workplace ended his employment on health grounds on the 15 th but his last pay slip states it was ending period the 17th, what I want to know should I have received death in service benefit from them, my friend and neighbour has sorted this out for me but they told him we only get death in service if he was actually at work, so this week they paid out £6453.14 it was a group flexible retirement plan with standard life.

Thanks in advance
Sharon

dunstonh

Sorry for your loss.

what I want to know should I have received death in service benefit from them

It depends on the employee benefits available. Occupational pensions often include an element of death in service. However, auto-enrolment schemes only do so rarely.

ut they told him we only get death in service if he was actually at work, so this week they paid out £6453.14 it was a group flexible retirement plan with standard life.

A group personal pension doesnt have death in service as part of it. This doesnt mean the employer may not provide a group life assurance scheme. However, without that, the group personal pension (auto-enrolment scheme) will return the fund value built up.

Death in service is something that normally appears on final salary scheme type pensions. It does not mean death in service of the employer (i.e. at work). It means death whilst employed. i.e. it can happen on day off, night times or on holiday or wherever. It doesnt need to be at work.

shazz

Thanks a lot for the reply, that makes sense now,my head is still in the shed, just thank goodness he had his private pension.

fcandmp

Shaz, whilst it is an awkward time for you there maybe some detail worth checking into. I have worked for companies where the life insurance cover the employer scheme Provided paid at one level if you died whilst actually on company business I.e in working hours and another e.g. If at weekends or out of company hours. Whilst this sounds like a technicality it is worth checking into. Equally for someone's employment to be terminated with no notice, e.g they would normally be paid to the end of a working month. The employer's HR department should be all over this to assist you.