Teachers pension for late Mum

Bolt1234

Hello,

My Mum recently passed away (91 years old)  and I have let the Teachers Pension Group know of her passing.  They have now sent me a link to claim Death Benefits but I am totally confused.  I was not a beneficary.

She has been retired for over 30 years.  The form is asking for the Power of Attorney details which as she has died are no longer relevant.  There is a will, I am the Executor and we are applying for Probate.  Will the estate be able to claim anything?  I tried their Live Chat (no response) and have now emailed them but dont expect an answer anytime soon!

Silvertabby

My sympathies on your loss.

Was this your mum's pension in her own right, or was it her widow's pension from her late husband?

If the latter, then there are no further benefits payable.  If the former, then there may be spousal benefits due if she was married when she died.

Other than that, she was well outside the 5 year guarantee period for lump sum death benefits.  Possible that the letter was just a standard response to the death notification?

Bolt1234

Thank you.  Have found a phone number and on with them now.  I am almost 100% certain you are correct. Thank you for responding so quickly. Odd thing to send out..

Mum was divorced from Father (who has also passed) in the 1970's.  Never remarried. It was a pension in her own right. I did see the 5 year note on some googling and of course as you rightly say she is well out of this timescale!

Bolt1234

They dont seem to know either and why I have been sent this form....the POA question threw me