Early pension

alijo20122012

Hi I’m 51 years old living with terminal lung cancer. I have a small private pension which my hubs will get after I die.  I also paid into a small work pension for about 7 years. 

My question is will my state pension become void when I die because  I wouldn’t of reached pension age? Is there a way to cash in before I die or later for my husband.  

I suspect not and if that’s the case where does all the unclaimed Mooney go ? 

Thanks 
Alison

El_Torro

Sorry to hear about your situation.

No, it's not possible to claim State Pension before you reach State Pension age. It is possible to access a private pension early if you are terminally ill, but not State Pension.

There isn't a pot of money that the government is holding specifically for your State Pension, so essentially that money doesn't go anywhere. The National Insurance you have paid over the years also isn't just for State Pensions.

xylophone

https://www.pensionsadvisoryservice.org.uk/about-pensions/the-state-pension/death-benefits

Have you both checked your state pension forecasts?

What exactly does yours say?

https://www.gov.uk/check-state-pension

https://www.gov.uk/new-state-pension/how-its-calculated

Black_Cat2

Hi Alison, sorry to hear about the set of cards you've been dealt. 

If you've still been working I wonder if your workplace pension has a "death in service benefit" payment.  Maybe you already know about whether that is the case or not but it may boost the payment you leave to your hubby by a bit 🐈

Sending you many cat hugs (or dogs ofc) xx

Silvertabby

I'm so sorry Alison.
As has been said, it isn't possible for you to access your State pension early, but if your husband is also under State pension age then he will be able to claim a bereavement lump sum and monthly allowance.  This isn't means tested, and the allowance is paid for 18 months.  Not much, overall, but it's something.

Brynsam

alijo20122012 said:

Hi I’m 51 years old living with terminal lung cancer. I have a small private pension which my hubs will get after I die.  I also paid into a small work pension for about 7 years. 

My question is will my state pension become void when I die because  I wouldn’t of reached pension age? Is there a way to cash in before I die or later for my husband.  

I suspect not and if that’s the case where does all the unclaimed Mooney go ? 

Thanks 
Alison

Alison - I was very sorry to read this. There's no way to phrase the next bit delicately, but is your life expectancy 'less than 12 months' (as certified by a registered UK medical practitioner)? If so, it is worth checking with your work pension whether you can take the whole lot as cash now - the jargon is 'total commutation on grounds of serious ill health'. The same would apply to your private pension.

If you need help progressing this, free and expert assistance is readily available from TPAS: https://www.pensionsadvisoryservice.org.uk

joshiesaunt

You may also be able to claim Personal Independence Payment.