Pension overpayment of partner who passed away

Brie

Emmia said:

I'm unsure if this has been covered, but was the OP married to the deceased or a nominated pension beneficiary? The use of "partner" indicates they weren't married, so depending on the scheme, the OP may not be eligible for ongoing payments. 

I'd say it implies rather than indicates.  Lots of people use partner instead of spouse/wife/husband. 

But yes they may not be eligible depending on scheme rules.  The fact that they were sent paperwork to get a "widow(er)'s" benefit implies also that they may be entitled.  Unless of course another error has been made.

Northstar2

Emmia said:

Brie said:

I agree it would be worthwhile finding out what the widow(er)'s portion is versus the overpayment.  Once you know that then you'll be able to decide what to do further.  

Yes the money should be repaid.  But it would be completely irresponsible of anyone to insist you do that instantly, particularly when this is not a mistake of your making and has come as a surprise months after the event.  Even if it does need to be repaid that can surely be agreed to be done in increments.  Whether that is by you not receiving anything for 2 years or something before your widow(er)'s pension goes into payment or by some other means then sobeit.  Complain to the company, the pension administrator and the solicitors who appear to be now harassing you.

Sorry for your loss btw.  It's so easy for all of us to jump on the bandwagon with advice and (sometimes unhelpful) comments we often forget that there's a person trying to cope with something life has thrown at them.  

I'm unsure if this has been covered, but was the OP married to the deceased or a nominated pension beneficiary? The use of "partner" indicates they weren't married, so depending on the scheme, the OP may not be eligible for ongoing payments. 

OP I'm sorry for your loss, and I hope you can get this all resolved quickly and without too much stress. 

I was and is his civil partner

Keep_pedalling

Northstar2 said:

Emmia said:

Brie said:

I agree it would be worthwhile finding out what the widow(er)'s portion is versus the overpayment.  Once you know that then you'll be able to decide what to do further.  

Yes the money should be repaid.  But it would be completely irresponsible of anyone to insist you do that instantly, particularly when this is not a mistake of your making and has come as a surprise months after the event.  Even if it does need to be repaid that can surely be agreed to be done in increments.  Whether that is by you not receiving anything for 2 years or something before your widow(er)'s pension goes into payment or by some other means then sobeit.  Complain to the company, the pension administrator and the solicitors who appear to be now harassing you.

Sorry for your loss btw.  It's so easy for all of us to jump on the bandwagon with advice and (sometimes unhelpful) comments we often forget that there's a person trying to cope with something life has thrown at them.  

I'm unsure if this has been covered, but was the OP married to the deceased or a nominated pension beneficiary? The use of "partner" indicates they weren't married, so depending on the scheme, the OP may not be eligible for ongoing payments. 

OP I'm sorry for your loss, and I hope you can get this all resolved quickly and without too much stress. 

I was and is his civil partner

Do you know what sort of pension this was? Unless it was a single life annuity I would expect you to be able to benefit from it rather than it ending on his death.

Sarahspangles

Northstar2 said:

I was and is his civil partner

Do you know why your partners pension provider paid him a lump sum? Was he retiring, or was he taking some money out of the pension for a reason?

It sounds like he or they made a mistake at this point and they are trying to put it right so you have a survivor’s pension. I think the ideas about asking them to take the overpayment from the pension in instalments sound good.

Have you had some advice about your own finances, to check if you’re entitled to any help?

Northstar2

Sarahspangles said:

Northstar2 said:

I was and is his civil partner

Do you know why your partners pension provider paid him a lump sum? Was he retiring, or was he taking some money out of the pension for a reason?

It sounds like he or they made a mistake at this point and they are trying to put it right so you have a survivor’s pension. I think the ideas about asking them to take the overpayment from the pension in instalments sound good.

Have you had some advice about your own finances, to check if you’re entitled to any help?

Hello. Thank you for your ideas. I only have a simple question and I don’t really want to dig into details what a pension is. I think a few had good advice already and I don’t want to complicate it with further questions then just be attacked with my answers.

May I ask what do you mean I’ll be entitled to any help? Is this to pay the overpayment? I understand about solvent and insolvent estate already and how it can affect the repayment. Also pay in increments, plead for hardship, etc. anything new you are pointing out?

Sarahspangles

It can be helpful to have a benefits review after someone passes away. For example if you’re below retirement age and might qualify for Bereavement Support

https://www.gov.uk/bereavement-support-payment

Northstar2

Sarahspangles said:

It can be helpful to have a benefits review after someone passes away. For example if you’re below retirement age and might qualify for Bereavement Support

I had them. Thanks. I didn’t even pursue when I was refused of the widower’s pension coz it wasn’t about money. Again, my only question is raising a pension overpayment after a person died. Just justice I’m seeking, but trying the least damaging way first to confront this solicitor’s letter.

Marcon

Northstar2 said:

Sarahspangles said:

It can be helpful to have a benefits review after someone passes away. For example if you’re below retirement age and might qualify for Bereavement Support

I had them. Thanks. I didn’t even pursue when I was refused of the widower’s pension coz it wasn’t about money. Again, my only question is raising a pension overpayment after a person died. Just justice I’m seeking, but trying the least damaging way first to confront this solicitor’s letter.

Then I think my previous post gives you the link you need to do just that, repeated now for ease of reference: 

Get yourself some free, impartial, expert and sympathetic help: https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/pensions-and-retirement/pension-problems

Hopefully that route will cause you the least distress and ensure the quickest way to find a way forward.

Northstar2

Hello guys again! I appreciate all your advice. Can I ask if the this pension company’s death benefit and widower’s pension scheme different?

Marcon

Northstar2 said:

Hello guys again! I appreciate all your advice. Can I ask if the this pension company’s death benefit and widower’s pension scheme different?

On the information available, it's impossible to comment meaningfully in terms of comparing with other schemes, but based on what you've said, there's nothing which sounds particularly unusual.

Reading your thread again, I wonder if the lump sum paid to your partner was a one-off payment to extinguish all their pension rights under the scheme because the scheme hadn't realised they were in a civil partnership? Until you can get a full explanation of how the overpayment arose, there's unlikely to be anything anyone here can offer to help or make you feel any better.