Widow's Private Pension

[chrissa1]

Since my husband died in Feb 2011, I have been receiving his PP each month from Standard Life. It was in the sum of £120.00. I rang them yesterday because the payment had dropped to £34.60.

I blamed the Tax Man, but the lady at SL told me that the payment would drop to £60.00 from now on. She asked if I had received a letter and I said, no I hadn't.

I have no paperwork to check.

Does anyone know if this is standard practice with spouse's PPs. Thanks.

[johnny37]

Company pensions normally pay out half to from the date of the pension holders demise.

[woofgang]

You really need to check the T and C of the pension. If you haven't got the papers then Standard life should be able to supply them.

[chrissa1]

Thanks, guys.

[boxtops]

You would have had a letter from the tax man if the tax on the payment was to change.

Do you still have any correspondence from 2011, which would confirm the T&C of the payment to you? If not they will be able to send you information.

[themas]

chrissa - you don't say whether the £120 was the same amount as your husband had been getting. If is was, then it rather looks as if St. Life may have made a mistake & not reduced it as they should have done, unless there is something in the T & C which allowed it to continue at the full rate for a fixed period after his death.

If the £120 was a reduced amount (normally 50% of the full rate) then it is difficult to see why it should now be halving again & you certainly need to have a proper explanation of it.

Also, they should send you a copy of the letter they were referring to when you phoned, or - if they didn't send one - send one now with a proper explanation.

[chrissa1]

From what I can remember Themas, that was the same amount that my husband was getting.

They are sending me the letter that should have been sent to me on 21st Feb.

The chap I spoke to this afternoon read out my old address, even though all my P60s have come to my correct address since I moved 3 years ago.

Thanks.