Widow and Pension

Richie7

Hi,

Sadly my dad passed away recently, and naturally his State Pension was stopped. 

The thing is I'm worried now about my mum who he left behind, as she only receives a small State Pension - around £80 a month - and will now struggle to pay the bills etc. And she only has modest savings. It was basically with the help of my Dad's pension that they managed day to day.

I'm a bit confused by what I've read - including about post and pre-2016 - and am wondering if she is entitled to more. I don't imagine even if she is it will amount to much more, but it would at least help. When we notified the government of course about his death, there was nothing said about my mum's pension or what she may/may not be entitled to.

Sorry if this question has been asked many times before, but will they be able to help her?

Thanks,


Richie

molerat

When did they both reach state retirement age ?

P10 P14 here https://www.ageuk.org.uk/globalassets/age-uk/documents/factsheets/fs19_state_pension_fcs.pdf

Richie7

My dad was 82 and my mum is 76, so comfortably before 2016.

That factsheet doesn't look like it's applicable.

p00hsticks

I'm sorry for your loss. 

If her State Pension is her only income then, depending on her savings, she should put in an application for Pension Credit. If successful, this will also passport her to other benefits such as Council Tax reduction etc...
Pension Credit: Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

molerat

Richie7 said:

My dad was 82 and my mum is 76, so comfortably before 2016.

That factsheet doesn't look like it's applicable.

Oooops .... p14

Richie7

I think she has too much in savings for Pension Credit but I will double check.

She was reluctant to start using her savings just to pay bills, as I'm sure many would be. It feels grossly unfair.

Richie7

molerat said:

Richie7 said:

My dad was 82 and my mum is 76, so comfortably before 2016.

That factsheet doesn't look like it's applicable.

Oooops .... p14

Apologies, I should have kept reading! That looks pretty complicated, I'll have to contact the Pensions people and talk to them.

You don't feel like doing any of this stuff.

xylophone

See

https://www.gov.uk/death-spouse-benefits-tax-pension/pensions

https://www.gov.uk/state-pension-through-partner

And Annex A p 21 here and refer to example on page 26.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/181235/derived-inherited-entitlement.pdf

Re Pension Credit

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/globalassets/age-uk/documents/factsheets/large-print-factsheets/fs48-lp-pension-credit.pdf

MTB1986

Richie7 said:

I think she has too much in savings for Pension Credit but I will double check.

She was reluctant to start using her savings just to pay bills, as I'm sure many would be. It feels grossly unfair.

Can I ask what you feel is unfair? There may be other options. 

p00hsticks

Richie7 said:

She was reluctant to start using her savings just to pay bills, as I'm sure many would be.   

Please don't let her become one of those people we read about from time to time who don't eat properly or keep themselves warm and then die with shedloads of cash under the mattress.

 I suspect like many, a lot of us these days are having to dip into savings to maintain our living standards. Our savings were made for a rainy day, as as I look outside the window, it's raining now.

Silvertabby

p00hsticks said:

Richie7 said:

She was reluctant to start using her savings just to pay bills, as I'm sure many would be.   

Please don't let her become one of those people we read about from time to time who don't eat properly or keep themselves warm and then die with shedloads of cash under the mattress.

 I suspect like many, a lot of us these days are having to dip into savings to maintain our living standards. Our savings were made for a rainy day, as as I look outside the window, it's raining now.

This.  If her savings weren't made to give her a better standard of living in retirement, then what were they made for?