Pension & other benefits over payment on death death....

CLAiMER999

The government routinely send out letters to next of kin & executors to recoup overpayment of pensions & benefits after a death which most people repay (including myself, refunded £500) but if the death is registered within the 5 day legal requirement & the tell us once service is used, is not legally enforceable & is just a request to be refunded.
On the letter people receive the government make it seem as if people have no choice but to refund the monies requested. But they do have a choice it seems.
The letter people receive should clearly state this is a voluntary refund to the government & they can refuse & it is not enforceable in law..... At present the letter does not state this.
I repaid the £500 as I thought I had no choice but to refund it.
Sadly due to financial restraints this ment no flowers could be afforded at the funeral.
Could I challenge this refund I did not legally have to repay ???
Seems wrong that the letter makes no mention that the refund is voluntary.
Opinions & comments welcomed.

p00hsticks

It's already being discussed over on the Pensions board

Personally I'm with those who say that my parents woudl spin in their graves if they thought I didn't pay back money that they were'nt entitled to.....

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6329835/ignore-requests-from-the-state-trying-to-claw-back-pension-overpayments-after-someone-has-died#latest

badmemory

Mine too.  But it is extremely rare that they want repayments if the death is reported promptly.  Unless it is pension credit which may well be a mistake.  My mothers was a weeks underpayment paid.