Pension Company slow with Deceased Father's Pension

AB188

Hi, im currently in correspondence with my deceased father's pension company.  He had an expression of wish (50% myself and sister); i informed them of his death in February and they wrote to me and asked me to forward his death certificate etc.  They also had initially asked me when i rang them and i told them of his family situation and the fact that he had a partner (he was divorced and had a girlfriend - not living together, no joint property and no shared bank accounts etc).  She was not financially dependent.

I emailed them two months later after sending the death cert and got a reply 3 weeks later to say they have everything they need but have written to his girlfriend to check she wasnt financially dependent on him.  I told them that she is in a retirement home and that she has dementia (she got worse shortly before dad died and went into the home 2 weeks before he died).  Her family have power of attorney for her as her dementia has worsened.  I told the pension company that her ability to respond would be unlikely due to her neurological and motor skills affected by her dementia.  I then responded that they cant let me know anything until they have a reply from her.  Im worried that they will get no response and what would happen?  Would this just go on and on?  Worried as my sister is very poorly with stomach cancer and the income from the pension for her would be a lot of help for her.  

Kind Regards

dunstonh

I then responded that they cant let me know anything until they have a reply from her.  Im worried that they will get no response and what would happen?

First of all, sorry for your loss.

The pension trustees have a duty to check and give sufficient weight to any claims on the pension.    Usually, in scenarios like this, it is resolved in less than 12 months but can often be closer to the 12 months than 3 months.  

Pension Company slow with Deceased Father's Pension

To be fair, it is unlikely that the pension company are being slow.    It is more likely that the responses from the other party's attorneys are being slow, checks are then made, and then outcomes are agreed upon.

It is possible that once the administrators have the information, the scenario is outside of their permitted discretion, and they need to refer it to the trustees.   Trustees tend to meet once a month to once a quarter (the larger the provider/scheme, the more frequent the meetings).   However, if it is within the discretion of the administrators, it would be much quicker, once the details have been confirmed.

Mark_d

In this situation I would expect you and your sister to get lump sums rather than an income.  In any case, I'm really surprised that the woman your dad was dating should be considered.

AB188

Thanks, its only a small ish amount each, less that 50K each.  They just seem to avoid discussing with me when i say his partner is not of sound mind.  Im hoping the home she is in will help deal with her post.  I am good friends with her family but i dont want discuss this with them and i know it would be unethical.

Marcon

dunstonh said:

I then responded that they cant let me know anything until they have a reply from her.  Im worried that they will get no response and what would happen?

First of all, sorry for your loss.

The pension trustees have a duty to check and give sufficient weight to any claims on the pension.    Usually, in scenarios like this, it is resolved in less than 12 months but can often be closer to the 12 months than 3 months.  

Pension Company slow with Deceased Father's Pension

To be fair, it is unlikely that the pension company are being slow.    It is more likely that the responses from the other party's attorneys are being slow, checks are then made, and then outcomes are agreed upon.

It is possible that once the administrators have the information, the scenario is outside of their permitted discretion, and they need to refer it to the trustees.   Trustees tend to meet once a month to once a quarter (the larger the provider/scheme, the more frequent the meetings).   However, if it is within the discretion of the administrators, it would be much quicker, once the details have been confirmed.

This doesn't sound like a trust-based occupational scheme, given OP's post saying there is an EOW asking for the cash to be split 50:50.

It sounds like a contract based personal pension of some description, with the provider going through the usual procedures associated with full and correct due diligence.

AB188 said:

Thanks, its only a small ish amount each, less that 50K each.  They just seem to avoid discussing with me when i say his partner is not of sound mind.  Im hoping the home she is in will help deal with her post.  I am good friends with her family but i dont want discuss this with them and i know it would be unethical.

They can listen to you but 'discussing' isn't really an option. You may be honest, genuine and helpful - but don't forget not everyone they come across is anything of the sort, which is why these checks can (and in some cases most definitely should) be pursued thoroughly. I appreciate that this always feels a long time for those waiting for a decision, but there aren't any shortcuts, especially where the situation is, or could be, complicated.