Is it possible to claim a deceased parents state pension from nearly 30 years ago??

L121254

So my father died when I was very young back in the early 1990’s in his early 50’s. My question would be what would have happened to his state pension pot and is there any way to claim it or part of it with me being his next of kin and only child? Any help would’ve greatly appreciated

mark55man

sorry for your loss, even that way ago.

I have to say I very much doubt it, for the following reasons
- there isn't a pot as such, just general taxation
- like insurance in reverse, those who die early subsidise the ones who live to collect - what is fair, is that no one knows in advance
- the NI that he would have paid (that notionally covers pension savings) also covers other stuff.

Some private pensions have a minimum payout period (once taken) or a lump sum if you die before pensionable age (usually insurance based)

I'm sure an actual expert will be along soon, but I have never heard of that with state pensions, and I'm old enough to be sure I would have remembered it.

If you need the money to help out withsome other money problem, there are plenty of helpful people on the other boards as well

Marcon

There is no 'state pension pot' and his state pension would not have become payable until he reached the age of 65, so I'm afraid there's nothing to claim. 

Thrugelmir

Can I ask whether your mother was alive at the time of his death? 

L121254

My mother was alive but they had divorced and she had remarried 

TVAS

You are asking the wrong question. Mark55man gave a brilliant explanation of how the state pension scheme works.

The right question is was he a member of a DB/final salary scheme. Most schemes provide for a dependant pension until university education or 23 whichever is the sooner. 

If you need to know who he was working for at date of death so you can approach the scheme. The Pension Tracing service will be able to find lost pension schemes but you need the name of the employer.

The trouble is you are not a dependant now and the passage of time but I would pursue it and complain to the Pension Ombudsman if the scheme trustees say no.