Understanding question from late Grandparent's pension provider

Spendless

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81895337#Comment_81895337

Exactly what we told Dad!

tooldle

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81895222#Comment_81895222

You could try the pensions board. Helpful if you could recall the scheme name or employer. I remember my Grandparent being in a Gas Company scheme (retired in ‘69). By the time he was in his 90’s, the scheme had not been open to new members for many years. It had a healthy surplus and a rapidly reducing membership. If I recall correctly, the trustees had scope to revise benefits. An unusual situation.

gplion55

Just answer "Not Required" on the form or "Not applicable" regarding probate.

Yes, it is theoretically none of their business but they have their own procedures that they follow before they can release residual funds and do the end calculations. It's a matter of closing the administration and ensuring the funds go to the right place.

I had a similar situation in dealing with a widows pension and they asked for all kinds of documentation which took ages to dig out of papers and bedroom drawers etc. but it was dealt with quickly after that.

If probate (had/has) been applied for then they will ask for even more details and paperwork.

Keep_pedalling

Going off at a bit of a tangent here, do you have power of attorney for your father? If not it is something he really should do.

Spendless

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81895605#Comment_81895605

Yes, I do have LPA for both parents. Thankfully he listened to that one!

Spendless

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81895569#Comment_81895569

That's interesting. I must admit Im a bit baffled why there would be a surplus. I just thought it would be a case of 'we owe you or you owe us' depending on whether they paid Nan ahead or in arrears from the day she died.

I'll see if he hears anymore over the next few days - thanks.

tooldle

By surplus I’m meaning the scheme as a whole has assets which exceed their predicted liabilities and at the same time has a decreasing number of aged members.

Spendless

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81896979#Comment_81896979

Yes that's quite possibly the case here. I found out last night that Grandad had started working with this company before WW2 and returned there after the war ended. It's roots are probably in a very old pension scheme no longer available.

My eldest came up with a 4th suggestion for 'why not send a cheque again' and suggested that the company have ceased sending them after x date and it's pure chance that my Dad received one of the last ones. This sounds plausible.

Dad sent the paperwork back yesterday. I'll update when he hears more.

Spendless

Just thought Id update on this. Dad received the money. It was......wait for it….....£77.

RAS

That's better than many.

It wasn't unusual for people to take out life insurance on family members, basically to pay for the cost of travelling or perhaps contributing to the funeral. Value 50 years later £2.20.