Understanding question from late Grandparent's pension provider

Spendless

My Nan died at the end of last year aged 100. For over 29 years she was in receipt of a widow's pension from my Grandad's pension provider from his workplace.

My Dad is the executor of Nan's will. She left cash only in a bank (no property). He has informed the pension provider of Nan's death and sent a death cert but had the form back saying he hasn't filled it in properly - he didn't sign it or write his name or address down thinking it was for Scotland only (he incorrectly looked at the bolded box above where he needed to fill his details in). I filled in the details correctly and just got him to sign it, but he's elderly himself (late 70s), has a heart condition and struggles with 'paperwork'. He is getting stressed with why the pension provider is asking questions such as 'Has probate been applied for' (No it's not needed the estate is under the amount of the bank concerned - I've checked) and asking 'why do they want to know that. It's none of their business'.

It would help me calm him if I understood why, and could say because they need to know …… or even 'haven't a clue Dad, most don't ask that'

This is purely so Nan's widow pension from Grandad stops being paid. Currently Dad hasn't been able to check Nan's bank account as it is still 'frozen' (which is a seperate story).

Part of me thinks they just send our the identical forms to everyone, cos pension provider has asked for Nan's children to be named including Dad's name and if they're still in education.

But it would (fingers crossed) help me if someone could explain why the pension provider asks these questions.

sheramber

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6654082/understanding-question-from-late-grandparent-039-s-pension-provider

Have you spoken to the pension company to ask them?

Spendless

No. Dad informed them of Nan's death. They sent the paperwork, that Dad returned without enough info on. He was sent a letter saying hed not filled it in correctly. So I answered the questions and got him to sign. Meanwhile hes getting stressed about why theyre asking about things which in his opinion are 'nothing to do with them'

Baldytyke88

You usually need probate in Scotland, but it's called Confirmation, and it's only required to get legal authority to manage the deceased's estate (money, property, belongings) if it's above certain thresholds or involves specific assets like land, stocks, or certain insurance. Confirmation isn't needed for small estates (often under £5,000, depending on the institution) or joint assets, but is essential to unlock bank accounts, transfer property, or sell investments, proving the executor's right to act.

Savvy_Sue

I guess it is possible that if there are (grand)children still in education then there is some provision for them, but I have no idea. the probate forms (I know you're not filling them in) also ask about children / grandchildren, even if they are not named in the will, and I have no idea why.

Spendless

Everyone is in England.

I mentioned Scotland purely to describe how Dad missed filling out and signing - because there was a bolded out part above the 'give your details and sign here part' describing some addditions info needed for those in Scotland and he thought he only needed to sign the paper if he lived there. This is what I mean by he struggles with 'paperwork'

Spendless

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81872496#Comment_81872496

I'd have considered this a possibility if it was Nan's pension but it was actually Grandad's. She was just in receipt of the widow's pension from it.

Living to 100 meant even Great Grandchildren were through with education (eccept one who finishes this year). Only children were asked to be named.

chapea

because if this was a DB pension any children still in full time education could have been paid a dependent’s pension until they left education. Presumably this is a standard form so covers any age.

When my husband died early our children got a small amount of money from his LGPS pension as did I. There’s stopped when they left college

Spendless

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81872555#Comment_81872555

Thank you. Im.assuming it was because Grandad became in receipt of it in the early 80s when he became an invalid (stroke patient) prior to being SPA.

That's answered that one. Any ideas why the form.asks whether probate has been applied for and an explanatuon for ticking no?

Spendless

Willowleaf - That is exactly my Dad's view and I'd leave him to his rant if it wasn't that I've got concerns over how stressed he's getting given his age and heart issues.

We didn't have this with my other Nan who died 3 years ago. My mum did exactly as you've described. Rang them, supplied the death cert and they stopped payment.

MyRealNameToo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81872621#Comment_81872621

Remember that the forms are generic, they arent tailored to each pensioner and their personal circumstances. If it's a third party administrator then often forms are used across schemes rather than tailored for each scheme.

Some pensions have benefits that are to be paid irrespective of if there is a spouse, child or dependent. If these dont exist the payment goes to the estate. If they are going to be putting money into the estate then probate becomes relevant.