Fathers Early Pension

Griever

It's not the best situation, that's why I needed advice.

I don't think I worded it well in the first post either. The work on my house was his idea as a gift (he wants to get work done to my kitchen as a thank you) I wasn't even sure if I was going to accept. Same with my brother. I haven't asked or told him, I told him he needs to keep it for the future but it's something he's insisting he wants to do.

I also don't want him to be in trouble legally either. I'll have a good read of everything that's been linked and take the best advice and go from there!

Marcon

Silvertabby wrote: »

The LGPS clearly aren't aware that your dad's pension is being paid into your account. Once they find out (and they will, sooner or later) the payments will be stopped until your dad can prove that he is still alive and that you are not on the fiddle.

I know from other answers you have given that you really know your stuff on the LGPS, so forgive me for raising a query. If you look at the top of page 9 of the guide issued by Oxfordshire County Council, they indicate that paying a pension to someone other than the scheme member is possible where the member cannot manage their own affairs: https://www2.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/sites/default/files/folders/documents/pensions/membersguide/yourlgpsretirementbenefits.pdf

The relevant line reads: 'Your pension fund administrator .... can, if you are incapable of managing your affairs, pay your pension to someone else to be used for your benefit.'

From the sound of it, OP's father falls squarely into that category, I think?

xylophone

OP, ask your father to grant you PoA - you will then be able to register it with the banks/DWP etc and manage his account(s) on his behalf.

https://www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney

It would be best to avoid any of your father's money being paid into accounts in your name.

As your father is unwell and may at some point need care, avoid any appearance of deprivation of assets.

In view of his ill health, have you looked into whether any form of sheltered housing association property would be available to him?

https://www.lgpsmember.org/ats/about-div.php

LHW99

Also is he getting attendance allowance at any level? There are two grades, they are not means tested, although may be difficult to get if his heatlth fluctuates.
Citizen's Advice may be able to provide guidance.

Silvertabby

“ The LGPS clearly aren't aware that your dad's pension is being paid into your account. Once they find out (and they will, sooner or later) the payments will be stopped until your dad can prove that he is still alive and that you are not on the fiddle.
Originally posted by Silvertabby

Marcon wrote: »

I know from other answers you have given that you really know your stuff on the LGPS, so forgive me for raising a query. If you look at the top of page 9 of the guide issued by Oxfordshire County Council, they indicate that paying a pension to someone other than the scheme member is possible where the member cannot manage their own affairs: https://www2.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/sites/default/files/folders/documents/pensions/membersguide/yourlgpsretirementbenefits.pdf

The relevant line reads: 'Your pension fund administrator .... can, if you are incapable of managing your affairs, pay your pension to someone else to be used for your benefit.'

From the sound of it, OP's father falls squarely into that category, I think?

Absolutely - but not without a PoA to protect both the OP and the LGPS.

Sadly, cases of granny's pension being paid into a family member's account - who then 'forget' to tell the LGPS that granny has died - are not unknown.

Griever

Thanks all.

My brother and I have spent the morning with him and we have been going through the PoA online. It's a fairly easy system and using his Dr has his certifier too keep things above board.

Benefits wise they're all in process. We're waiting the outcome of PIP and universal credit. I believe they said he will get it but there's been a long wait because of waiting for the pension outcome. (they only gave the outcome/decision last week on ill health) he's currently on sick pay which as its been so long is half pay, so it's been a long few months, I've been keeping him afloat (not been fun for my bank balance haha).

Appreciate all the advice!

greenglide

Also is he getting attendance allowance at any level?

AA is only for people over SPa, in this case the OPs father is only 57.


PIP and UC would be appropriate and seem to be in hand.

atush

Griever wrote: »

Thanks for all your answers, a lot to reply too.

Firstly it's understandable that it could look like I'm doing it for my benefit, which I'm not. My father requested it this way and is due too that why I'm asking for this advice as I want to do what's best for him!

His illness's are split between physical and mental with a serious gambling problem. To put into context how bad this problem was, after the divorce he gambled 40-50k of the money from selling of the family home (I only found out a few years after after he broke down and told me), this left him in the endless cycle of renting. Which again was the main reason he asked myself to manage on his behalf and again why I needed advice as I wasn't sure I should or if its legal or even morally the right thing to do.

It seems the best step would be to get a joint account. Are there ways the account can be limited so he can't gamble thousands of pounds at will etc? Or when he can be monitored to make sure he has this money for the rest of his life?

I appreciate the concern and replies so far, the advice is great!

He will still have access to a joint acct. If he is still gambling, then a POA is better

atush

Griever wrote: »

Thanks all.

My brother and I have spent the morning with him and we have been going through the PoA online. It's a fairly easy system and using his Dr has his certifier too keep things above board.

Benefits wise they're all in process. We're waiting the outcome of PIP and universal credit. I believe they said he will get it but there's been a long wait because of waiting for the pension outcome. (they only gave the outcome/decision last week on ill health) he's currently on sick pay which as its been so long is half pay, so it's been a long few months, I've been keeping him afloat (not been fun for my bank balance haha).

Appreciate all the advice!

Keep a full tally with receipts/statements if you want this money refunded