Advice on Pension Death Benefits

Nearlyold

TVAS said:

Unlike you I used Google which took 5 minutes:

Your options for writing your own will

In theory, you could scribble your will on a piece of scrap paper. As long as it was properly signed and witnessed by two adult independent witnesses who are present at the time you sign your will, it should be legally binding.
The friends are not independent witnesses.
https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/diy-wills-what-you-need-to-know#:~:text=your own will-,Your options for writing your own will,it should be legally binding.

Friends can witness a will, the term independent in relation to witnessing wills means they can't be Relatives or Beneficiaries, it doesn't mean they must be someone who is not acquainted with you.

 Anyone you know who isn't a Relative or a Beneficiary can be a witness to your will, such as a friend, neighbour or colleague.

Albermarle

Anyone you know who isn't a Relative or a Beneficiary can be a witness to your will, such as a friend, neighbour or colleague.
That would make sense, as many people would struggle to find someone they hardly know ( or don't know at all) to get involved in witnessing someone's will. 

xylophone

Anyone you know who isn't a Relative 

https://farewill.com/articles/who-can-witness-and-sign-a-will#:~:text=A will can be witnessed,to a beneficiary, or blind.

A will can be witnessed and signed by anyone over the age of 18 – such as a neighbour, friend or colleague. The only rules are that they can't be a beneficiary of your will, married to a beneficiary, or blind.

A will can be witnessed and signed by anyone over 18, as long as they don't stand to benefit from it.

Here are a few of the simplest options:

• Neighbours: If you choose to print your will at home or get it sent to you in the post, your neighbours will probably be the easiest option.
• Colleagues: If you print your will at work or get it sent to the office, you could get a couple of colleagues to witness and sign it.
• Friends: Another good option is to get a couple of friends to witness and sign your will, as long as you haven't chosen to leave them any gifts or part of your estate.
• Relatives: It's common for people to leave part of their estate to their partner, children and grandchildren, but you could get other relatives – like siblings or cousins *– to witness your will

* Provided of course that they were not also beneficiaries.....