Am i entitled to my deceased wife pension even though we were separated

gazgits

Hello and thanks for reading.

The title says it all really. About a month ago i received a letter from my wifes former employer informing me about her pension. Sadly she died around two years ago.
As requested i filled out the required forms and sent off the various certificates.
However due to us living apart for the previous 11 months prior to her death we had different addresses on the death certificate.
The pension company noticed this and have questioned why we were living apart at the time of her death.
Therefore am i still entitled to part of my wife pension even though we lived apart for some time although we were not legally separated or divorced.
Also at the time of her death i was the sole carer of our daughter who was 15 at the time.

Thank you in advance

melanzana

If still married at the time I would think so. But others may know more.

The pension company are the people to ask really. Go for it and ask them why they are asking you this.

sandsy

Make sure you tell them about your daughter. Some pension schemes pay a child's pension to children still in education up to age 23.

lisyloo

This may be merely a matter of ID checking.

gazgits

Thanks for the quick replies. I think i will call the pension company tomorrow and explain the situation.
I just worry that they are trying to find a reason not to pay out to myself or my daughter.

Marcon

gazgits wrote: »

Thanks for the quick replies. I think i will call the pension company tomorrow and explain the situation.
I just worry that they are trying to find a reason not to pay out to myself or my daughter.

It isn't a case of trying to find a reason not to pay out; they need to check if you and your daughter qualify under the rules of the scheme. If you do, any benefits due will be paid - but without knowing anything about the type of the scheme, let alone the detailed rules, it is impossible for anyone here to give you any sort of informed help.

As you say, contact the pension company and talk to them.

gazgits

Marcon wrote: »

It isn't a case of trying to find a reason not to pay out; they need to check if you and your daughter qualify under the rules of the scheme. If you do, any benefits due will be paid - but without knowing anything about the type of the scheme, let alone the detailed rules, it is impossible for anyone here to give you any sort of informed help.

As you say, contact the pension company and talk to them.

But thats what worries me, if they decide that because we lived apart then i don't qualify.

ex-pat_scot

Honesty is the only policy here.
You are either legally married to her, or not.
Her pension scheme may well have Death in service benefits and / or accrued pension benefits to her NOK and dependent(s).
Only the scheme adminstrators can advise you of the scheme rules.
They can provide full scheme rules on request.
Ask them.
The rules will be clear and unambiguous, and should cover your circumstances.

Anything less than full clear information from you of your actual circumstances would be construed as fraud potentially. Don't do it.

Silvertabby

It very much depends on the scheme rules. For example, the LGPS would pay you a widower's pension if you were legally married (even if separated) when your wife died.

With other schemes, however, payment could be at the discretion of the trustees.

Hopefully, you will have your answer - one way or the other - by now.

Marcon

gazgits wrote: »

But thats what worries me, if they decide that because we lived apart then i don't qualify.

Worrying won't alter the facts (or make you feel any better). Do come back and tell us what happened, please, if you wouldn't mind?

Reluctantpensioner

If I were you, I'd use they phrase "trial separation".