pension entitlement on death of spouse

doolali

hi

I have recently been contacted by a company acting for another regarding my estranged husband. He had died suddenly aged 38 and it would appear as we are still legally married I am entitled to his pension - I think thats what they said as I was in shock at the call and am still waiting for a call from the company who traced me.
Am I entitled to anything as we were estranged ? I am 45 so does it mean I would have to wait until 65 to draw a pension. He had a private pension.

sorry for the sketchy details but hopefully someone can help

Karen

tanith

Sad news about your OH.. but it appears that he never changed his nominated beneficiary.. which was you while you were together and he would of had the choice to name someone else to 'inherit' his pension which it appears he didn't do... I don't know wether you can get it now or not but its good news for you I guess...

doolali

It is a big shock that he has passed away and a very sad loss of a young life
It would seem I am named somewhere as a company paid to have me traced regarding this matter. He didn't have another partner so I assume he didn't change anything and his only living relatives are in australia.

chesky369

You should find out whether or not he made a will as, if he didn't, you are still his nearest next of kin. Do make sure this company is a firm of solicitors or is working on behalf of the pension company - not a company that will try to make you sign your pension rights away. Ask for everything to be written to you as well as phone calls, as that way you will be able to study things properly.

chesky369

Also, whether you can get access to any pension funds now will depend on the terms of the actual pension - the 'death in service' clause or something like that.

doolali

I have now been contacted by the company and it is his works pension and dept who have contacted me.
It would appear I will be getting an amount for life. I have no idea how any of this works so am completely in the dark as to what any of it means.
I have sent of proof of my ID and our marriage and will await the next step.

chesky369

Although this is financially great for doolali, it really is an illustration of how one really should make a will, or at least make sure you update your expression of wish with regard to your pension - of course, he may have wanted doolali to remain the recipient.

Debt_Free_Chick

doolali wrote: »

I have now been contacted by the company and it is his works pension and dept who have contacted me.
It would appear I will be getting an amount for life. I have no idea how any of this works so am completely in the dark as to what any of it means.
I have sent of proof of my ID and our marriage and will await the next step.

The other posts assumed you were entitled to a lump sum, which is distributed to selected beneficiaries.

This sounds like a straightforward "widow's pension" and would be paid automatically to you as, legally, you were still married.

Some very old fashioned schemes restrict payment of a widow's pension where husband & wife were not actually living together at the date of death. However, that would usually only apply where the deceased was living with another partner.

In your case, it sounds like you are entitled to the widow's pension. Which is something, given the very sad situation you have faced.

Good luck

dwsjarcmcd

There are many potential benefits here
1. Death in Service - usually a multiple of salary, although this can vary between types of pension
2. If his scheme was a contributory scheme (most are) you may well get a refund of his contributions, plus interest
3. A monthly pension.

Was the scheme a 'final salary' scheme or a 'money purchase' scheme. Your late husband's employers should provide all the info you need and now may well be a very good time to speak to an IFA to talk you through it, and to help you decide what to do with the money.

David

doolali

I have been told it is a monthly pension for life and that is all I know right now. I should hear more this coming week as all my documentation is now with the company. Considering we were seperated though, surely I wouldn't receive anything or a minimum payment.

dwsjarcmcd

doolali wrote: »

I have been told it is a monthly pension for life and that is all I know right now. I should hear more this coming week as all my documentation is now with the company. Considering we were seperated though, surely I wouldn't receive anything or a minimum payment.

I don't think the fact that you were separated makes any difference, unless there are other beneficiaries i.e. children