How to find pensions/life insurance policies of deceased

JPR66

hi
Im at a loss. I want to check if my dad (recently deceased) had any pensions or life insurance at all.  I believe he cashed some pensions in a few years ago but I cant find any paperwork to start asking questions.  
What's the best way forward please?  Gov.UK was no help at all as I don't have any details to put into the system. Literally got nothing to go off!
To be honest its a long shot but I need to do due diligence as there are debts & I dont want to be liable if I get this wrong.

DullGreyGuy

Pensions its best to start with https://www.findpensioncontacts.service.gov.uk/ 

Life insurance is harder as there is no central registry but this site's suggestions are https://www.moneysupermarket.com/life-insurance/policy-finder/ 

Malthusian

JPR66 said:

To be honest its a long shot but I need to do due diligence as there are debts & I dont want to be liable if I get this wrong.

Is staying out of it and telling the creditors that nobody is administering his estate an option?

You do not need to be his executor / administrator to arrange a funeral or secure his possessions. You can only be compelled to administer the estate if you have already started acting in the role of an executor/administrator (e.g. by closing bank accounts and taking control of the money).

lisyloo

Is it very likely he had uncrystallised pensions if he was in debt?

if he was receiving any then that should show up on bank statements.
life insurance is usually paid monthly so again -  bank statement.
presume you’ve been through all the paperwork in the house?

Marcon

JPR66 said:

hi
Im at a loss. I want to check if my dad (recently deceased) had any pensions or life insurance at all.  I believe he cashed some pensions in a few years ago but I cant find any paperwork to start asking questions.  
What's the best way forward please?  Gov.UK was no help at all as I don't have any details to put into the system. Literally got nothing to go off!
To be honest its a long shot but I need to do due diligence as there are debts & I dont want to be liable if I get this wrong.

Have a look at Gretel.co.uk (free). 

Do you have access to his bank statements for the last couple of years, which might show lump sums coming in from any pensions he's 'cashed in'?

DullGreyGuy said:

Pensions its best to start with https://www.findpensioncontacts.service.gov.uk/ 

Sadly that won't help as OP says they have 'no details'.

JPR66

Thanks all. I have found evidence of 1 lump sum on an old bank statement. I've contacted them and found it was cashed in full some time ago but I live in hope of finding something else - just don't know how.
He had another bank account but there are no statements at all🤷
As for staying out of it and letting the creditors deal with it I have considered that!! However due to a remainderman situation it does need to be sorted.
Gretel only allow you to set up an account in your own name. 

Marcon

JPR66 said:

Thanks all. I have found evidence of 1 lump sum on an old bank statement. I've contacted them and found it was cashed in full some time ago but I live in hope of finding something else - just don't know how.
He had another bank account but there are no statements at all🤷
As for staying out of it and letting the creditors deal with it I have considered that!! However due to a remainderman situation it does need to be sorted.
Gretel only allow you to set up an account in your own name. 

'Anyone who is over the age of 18 and resident in the UK can register to become a user of Gretel. Executors, Administrators, Attorneys and Deputies may also use Gretel to search for assets which are due to Estates or for living investors whose financial affairs they're helping to manage.' Source: https://www.gretel.co.uk/faqs

JPR66

Brilliant thanks x