Advice so that widows do not lose their husbands’ pensions
12 August 2014
It is certainly a problem that many people lose track of old pension entitlements and, especially if husbands have passed away, widows will often be left without anything from their husband’s pension unless they are aware of what his entitlement was.
If husbands have died relatively young, a defined benefit pension scheme would provide some money for the widow and a defined contribution scheme could pay out a tax free sum, but widows would need to to notify the scheme that their husband has passed away and make a claim for their entitlement.
What can people do:
1. Keep track of all old entitlements. It is very important for people to keep track of their old pensions and this is vital even before you reach older ages, just in case of accidental death.
2. Consider merging old pension entitlements together in one place so they are easier to keep track of. Ideally, people might consider moving their old entitlements with them when they change jobs or start with a new pension provider, but with old defined benefit schemes that is usually not possible.
3. Keep a list of all your pension entitlements and latest statements.
4. Every time you move house, notify all your pension providers of your change of address so they can contact you.
5. Keep your ‘expression of wish’ form up to date so your pension provider knows who should inherit your pension if the worst happens.
6. Trace all lost pensions – there is a Government-run pension tracing service which can help you track down old pensions https://www.gov.uk/find-lost-pension . Telephone: 0845 6002 537.
7. If you have lost track of an old pension, try contacting your previous employer but if the firm you worked for has merged or changed its name you will need to try to find out what happened to the company. The same would apply if you had an old pension policy that is not sponsored by an employer but was a personal pension arrangement – your compnay many have merged with another one and changed its name, so you will need to look up what has happened to the firm and then contact the administrator of the existing company that has taken over the old business.
8. If you are a widow whose husband has already passed away, consider writing to any past employers you know your husband worked for to ask if they have a pension scheme and if they have any record of him having been a member. Trustees are often keen to trace former members so you could be helping them by contacting them anyway.
10 thoughts on “Advice so that widows do not lose their husbands’ pensions”
I would like a solid answer on whether women who currently only get partial state pension will receive full state pension when their husbands die…..its bad enough we are denied new flat rate pension and we wont qualify for pension credit because of savings or husbands remaining pensions
I only receive a partial state pension as I didn’t always pay a national insurance contribution. If my husband does before me do I receive a pension increase?
I’m trying to trace my late husbands pension with scotish widows
I was forced into retirement at the age of 60 when my local government employer made me redundant. At that time I could not claim a state pension but we coped on my husband’s pension. Sadly for me, he died suddenly 10 weeks ago and therefore no longer receives a state pension. His assets are frozen until I can apply for a grant of probate and I fall into that select group of women who will never receive a FULL state pension, but only a reduced one. Does the government have any understanding of, or concern for, the newly widowed? Life is very tough when grief is still raw and poverty lies ahead. I hope to be able to hang on to the house we shared throughout our long and happy married life but that looks increasingly doubtful…
I would like to know how much pension a widow of the RAF pension will receive from my husbands who died age 78. Also I was receiving my own state penion so how much widows pension will I now receive.
My husband and I live here in the Phillippines for 11 years with 1 daughter,,He passed away last 14th of October 2018..Where do i ask to sort out his State Pension?
I was divorced from my husband however we lived together as man and wife for two years before he died, he was receiving a private pension and they refused to pay me a widow allowance. I was named as the beneficiary but they said that was declared when we were married. As we were still together and didn’t believe we would have to advise anything because nothing had changed.
My late husband worked in the steel works. He did pay into 3 different pensions but only one is paying me a monthly sum. I wonder if there are any other pensions out there.
My first husband died at 41 in 1996 would there be any claim to the state pension he would have paid …. I do not know much about pension things
I am a widower who has luckily met a lady in a similar position. If we live together is there any way we can avoid losing our late partner’s pensions? On the down side, if we were to eventually split up would our widows pensions from Local Government and Home office, in both our cases, be reinstated? Pleases advise a pair of wrinkly lovers.