Death and debt

Silvertabby

Malthusian wrote: »

Payment is at the trustees' absolute discretion and they don't need the deceased to have named a beneficiary to pay it somewhere other than the estate.

The OP should contact all three pension companies with a copy of the death certificate and inform them a) that their brother had no dependents and his mother and brother are his closest living relatives, b) that they would like to be considered for any payment of death benefits (if they would), and c) that his estate is insolvent so any payment of death benefits to his estate will go to his creditors. This is not intermeddling as pensions sit outside the estate.

As Malthusian says. Plus, there may be some death in service benefits linked with the latest pension record - so don't dismiss the pensions as not being worth the hassle.

Each pension fund should confirm that any payments are at the trustees discretion/outside of the estate, so don't mention them in any correspondence with creditors. The money would be the personal property of the recipient, and theirs to do with as they wish - although I know that a lot of death benefit payments are used to pay for funeral expenses. Using this money to pay for funeral expenses won't be classed as 'intermeddling' as the person who arranged the funeral/signed the contract is then personally responsible for payment.

My sympathies on your loss.

Edinburghsaver

Thank you all for your kind advice. I have spoken to two of his pension providers today and one has already agreed to use the money in his pension to offset the cost of his funeral, and the other should pay out to my mother as a named beneficiary.

We have also informed the people he owed money to that he has died, but that his estate is insolvent and that no one will be administering his estate. Everyone thus far has been understanding, which is a plus.
This forum has been invaluable, I am so grateful.

fatbelly

Have you informed his insolvency practitioner?