Survivor Pensions

bigpappa · 26 March at 12:19PM

I am just starting the process of tying up my fathers estate and needed some advice on pensions. He is survived by his wife (my mother) - he was receiving a local Government scheme pension - I read online it has something called survivor pensions?

I just want to know what questions should I ask and what should I keep in mind when I call as I have no clue about this and neither does my mother as my father managed all the finances when they were together.

Brie · 26 March at 12:25PM

First make sure they know that dad has died (sorry for your loss) as that will cause less stress regarding overpayments.

What do they need to ensure things are sorted? Death certificate, will, marriage certificate to prove mom's entitlement? Talk to their bereavement team and ask "what do I need to know?"

Ask if the pension is paid in advance or in arrears. Also what percentage mom will get and if that is for her life or if there is a guaranteed period after which it may stop. Or may continue to be paid if she dies before the end of that period.

MyRealNameToo · 26 March at 12:51PM

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6661394/survivor-pensions

Dont know the finer details of the local government scheme but most schemes and insurers (if the scheme has done a buyout) will have a bereavements team who'll take you through the process and setup any second life pension that may be due.

They'll need evidence of when he died and evidence that someone is entitled to the survivor part of his pension. In the case of a spouse this would be in the form of a marriage certificate and proof of ID. The LGPS has changed over the years so what the entitlement will be will depend on when the pension was earned, pre 2008 it was 50%, these days its c30%.

DRS1 · 26 March at 1:09PM

May be the wrong bit of LGPS but this page may help

Death of a pensioner - Kent Pension Fund

bigpappa · 26 March at 1:49PM

So what now happens to her state Pension? My fathers will obviously be stopped.

Marcon · 26 March at 2:05PM

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81938212#Comment_81938212

See https://www.gov.uk/new-state-pension/inheriting-or-increasing-state-pension-from-a-spouse-or-civil-partner

Silvertabby · 26 March at 3:03PM

My sympathies.

First thing to do would be to ring your dad's LGPS to advise them of his death ('Tell me once' is good, but not always speedy). They will tell you that they will send pension claim forms to your mum, which will need returning with the appropriate certificates. An original death certificate for certain, but they may also need copies of your mum's birth certificate and their marriage certificate - ask them when you ring, so you will have the copies ready for when the claim form arrives.

There is no straight answer to how much the survivor's pension benefits will be, it very much depends on your dad's dates of service and if they were married before or after he left LGPS service (which may be before he actually started to draw his pension). Because of these variables, the person you speak to won't be able to give you any idea of the payments due, so the sooner you get the claim form and the certificates back the sooner they will be able to start working on the figures.

bigpappa · 26 March at 7:48PM

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81938342#Comment_81938342

I have found my mums original birth certificate but cannot find their marriage certificate - they were married abroad.

Silvertabby · 26 March at 8:01PM

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81938710#Comment_81938710

Speak to your dad's LGPS to ask if they are willing to do some sort of work round, but this could well be a stumbling block. What was the reason for getting married abroad? Is/was one of them a foreign national? If so, then the Embassy may be able to help.

In the meantime, when did your dad leave the LGPS ( just before or after 1April 2008 will do). when did they get married, and when did he join the LGPS. Just thinking of options.....