Claiming my next of kin pension when the pension company contacted me.

rainbow7

I received a letter from Aegon asking if i was next of kin to my late sister. I replied that indeed i was and was then asked for photocopies of my passport, utility bill etc. This was in April. I have repeatedly telephoned to ask what is going on and what is it about. I have only been told that my details have arrived and have been verified but they cant tell me anymore at this stage. i have also been asked to supply my sister's policy number and national insurance number which i have said i don't know. Each time i make contact with Aegon, it is with a different person and i have to start at the beginning of the events. I am getting nowhere fast and wonder if anybody has any advice please.  

Nearlyold

You've not really posted this in the correct place for advice on Pensions it would be better in the dedicated Pensions section. 

However a few questions/thoughts  for you

Is there an executor dealing with your late sister's estate? - If it's not you - they might have access to your sisters paperwork etc re the Policy Number and NI details. (NB the Pension Fund itself if there is one would not usually form part of the Estate)

I'm assuming the Pension in question is a Money Purchase type & your sister had not yet retired? 

These things can drag on so its not taken an exceptionally long time so far.

Robin9

Did you sister nominate you for a Death in Service lump sum payment ?

MSE_ForumTeam5

Moved to Pensions board

dunstonh

This was in April. I have repeatedly telephoned to ask what is going on and what is it about. 

These things are a little slow as there is a possibility they have written to multiple family members and are waiting for them to reply.   Their responses could involve obtaining more information from others.

It then has to go to the trustees to make a decision after ensuring there is sufficient information to make sure it is legally sound.

 Each time i make contact with Aegon, it is with a different person and i have to start at the beginning of the events.

Aegon is a massive company and has lots of staff.   

I am getting nowhere fast and wonder if anybody has any advice please.  

Be patient.  These things take time when the expression of wish is outdated or not provided at all or someone is contesting it.

Brie

Are you talking to the bereavement team?

fyi - proving you are next of kin can be tricky at times.  I suspect they will need not just your birth certificate but also your sister's to prove you have the same parents.  Possibly your parent's marriage certificate too.  And then your passport etc to prove your current identity.

(I had to prove who my grandparents were for an immigration visa and that was really difficult)

Albermarle

Normally your sister should have nominated you as a beneficiary and that would have probably simplified/speeded things up.
She maybe never did that, so the Pension Trustees have to decide ( and be very careful) who will get it, based on the family situation etc.

xylophone

I notice that the company contacted you rather than the other way round.

Is this because your sister's executor/ the administrator of her estate had advised Aegon of the names of all those who might have had a claim on your sister's estate?

Silvertabby

Or it could be that OP had been nominated by her sister, but if the paperwork had been completed some time ago then the trustees need to check if the sister had since married/had children.