Surviving partner pension

seymourf

Hi,

Someone I know died recently in receipt of a Teachers Pension. I contacted TPs to notify them of the death and ask for advice on behalf of the surviving spouse, and was informed that she would get three months' continued payment at the rate her husband received, after which she would continue to receive 50%. She is now distressed having received a letter from TPs indicating the actual monetary value of her entitlement, a figure just north of 30%. Is this likely to be an error?

Thanks,

Chris

securityguy

What was the age difference between them? Many pension schemes have an exception to the 50% rule for spouses who are substantially younger.

seymourf

Not much, less than four years - that shouldn't matter, should it?

securityguy

No, ten or fifteen might.

https://www.teacherspensions.co.uk/members/once-retired/death-benefits.aspx

It's half for final salary, 37.5% for career average (and there can be very few people with more thsan a small CA component to their pension today). Clearly, your friend needs clarification.

Yorkshireman99

seymourf wrote: »

Not much, less than four years - that shouldn't matter, should it?

The only for her to find out is to ask the pension provider for an explanation.

seymourf

This is really helpful, thanks!

seymourf

securityguy wrote: »

No, ten or fifteen might.

https://www.teacherspensions.co.uk/members/once-retired/death-benefits.aspx

It's half for final salary, 37.5% for career average (and there can be very few people with more thsan a small CA component to their pension today). Clearly, your friend needs clarification.

Thanks again for this - I checked the link however, and I'm not sure where the 50% figure comes from. Am I misunderstanding something? Sorry to bang on, but it's important and I want to know where she stands as it's likely I'll be asked to deal with TPs.

poppystar

seymourf wrote: »

Thanks again for this - I checked the link however, and I'm not sure where the 50% figure comes from. Am I misunderstanding something? Sorry to bang on, but it's important and I want to know where she stands as it's likely I'll be asked to deal with TPs.

As YM says you need to ask TPS for a breakdown of the calculation.

If someone has served a full 40 years and has paid for survivor benefits for all those years then it is a straight 50% but it is quite probable that either of these figures could be less than maximum. Only if you are in possession of this information can you do a calculation yourself. It is quite probable that his partner does not even know these details.

Yorkshireman99

seymourf wrote: »

This is really helpful, thanks!

I was not being flippant! I genuinely believe the only way to get a definitive answer is to ask the pesion provider as there are many variables that could affect the amount.

Kynthia

Yorkshireman99 wrote: »

I was not being flippant! I genuinely believe the only way to get a definitive answer is to ask the pesion provider as there are many variables that could affect the amount.

Why have you assumed that was a sarcastic response? It didn't quote you and seemed like a thanks to everyone that responded or for the link above

OP as has been said you need to as TPS for a breakdown. It can depend on which schemes within the TPS they have been in, for how long, and in some pensions you can buy 'additional pension' with or without survivor benefits. So there are too many variables. If you get a breakdown in sure some people on here can help you understand it.

jackyann

It is true that there are a lot of variables, as different schemes came together. I think, OP, that you are in a rather awkward position - it is kind to help with admin work, but there are some things that only the person concerned can deal with.
I suggest the following:

Was her husband in a union? If so, contact them and ask if any of their officers could provide support with this.

If not: get all the employment paperwork as well as the pension stuff, and ask your friend to be available - if she can't stand to be in the room, send her to another room or into the garden, but somewhere you can call her if need be.

Ask for explanations, in writing.

Good luck