State Pension and Death before retirement

SJE89

What happens to your state pension if you die before you reach SRP age?
My mum passed away recently, aged 64, and was due to reach retirement age in June 2023.
Something similar happened with my dad and he died when he was 61. I know my mum received a bereavement benefit (which was pittance)and his private pensions as well as a death in service payment from his work, which my mum's employer is currently sorting out for me too.
But what happens to state pension?
She worked all her life and paid NI contributions and tax, so it seems unfair/disgusting that the govt could just take that money away and my mum, who paid contributions to them all her life, never got to enjoy a penny of it.

I'm still trying to navigate what is a complicated minefield of issues in the wake of her death so trying to cover all bases.

msallen

Its like any insurance policy, those that claim (or claim more) are subsidised by those who don't claim (or claim less). Had your mother lived to be 107 would you think it "disgusting" that she'd been paid a pension for far longer than would be expected?

Albermarle

It is the same as if you paid taxes all your life, but never needed hospital treatment, whilst your neighbour was in and out of hospital having expensive operations. Would you expect to be paid back some of the taxes you paid and they should pay more.
As above the whole welfare system ( including state pensions) is really an insurance policy and some never get much benefit from it and some get a lot of benefit.

The_Unready

Stick another 10p on the rate of income tax and I'm sure we'll be able to pay out the state pension ad infinitum!

Or, perhaps not.......

Dazed_and_C0nfused

She worked all her life and paid NI contributions and tax, so it seems unfair/disgusting that the govt could just take that money away and my mum, who paid contributions to them all her life, never got to enjoy a penny of it.

Didn't she ever claim Child Benefit for you?

sheslookinhot

What do you mean “take that money away” ? 

Away from who ?

Thrugelmir

SJE89 said:

She worked all her life and paid NI contributions and tax, so it seems unfair/disgusting that the govt could just take that money away and my mum, who paid contributions to them all her life, never got to enjoy a penny of it.

The welfare system is designed to support everyone whatever their needs. We could all complain about funding something we don't personally agree.  What it does give us is peace of mind. Whatever our time on this earth. 

german_keeper

I agree it's disgusting isn't it. I've never had anything back either. Oh hang on, I've got 3 kids so we have had quite a lot of Child Benefit. And 3 kids educated, and educated very well, at the state's expense. We probably haven't had our money's worth from the NHS. What a shame that the 5 of us have had reasonably good health. We probably haven't had our money's worth from the Police and Fire Brigade - thankfully. And all the rest of it.

My mum never got anything back either, apart from also having 3 kids and the stuff I mentioned above. Mind you she is now as mad as a box of frogs and in a nursing home challenging behaviour unit. A brilliant place which costs an absolute fortune. She also has a one to one carer. All of it is funded by the state under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act. So she is certainly getting her money's worth now. I wish she wasn't.   

comeandgo

My condolences on the loss of your mother.  Her state pension is lost, there is nothing to get back.

penners324

Government pensions don't work like personal pensions. There is no pot of money that NI goes into for everyone individually.

lisyloo

german_keeper said:

I agree it's disgusting isn't it. I've never had anything back either. Oh hang on, I've got 3 kids so we have had quite a lot of Child Benefit. And 3 kids educated, and educated very well, at the state's expense. We probably haven't had our money's worth from the NHS. What a shame that the 5 of us have had reasonably good health. We probably haven't had our money's worth from the Police and Fire Brigade - thankfully. And all the rest of it.

My mum never got anything back either, apart from also having 3 kids and the stuff I mentioned above. Mind you she is now as mad as a box of frogs and in a nursing home challenging behaviour unit. A brilliant place which costs an absolute fortune. She also has a one to one carer. All of it is funded by the state under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act. So she is certainly getting her money's worth now. I wish she wasn't.   

Whilst that was amusing to some, I don’t think it’s necessary to be unpleasant.

most pensions are individual pots of money that get passed on after death.
the state pension is more like an insurance policy than an individual pot.
not everyone understands this.