Widower's Pension

[starone]

Can anyone tell me what happens in the following case -
The wife aged 76 has died, leaving the husband, aged 86. I am trying to work out how much he will get to live on. He already gets retirement pension of course. Does he get any increase as a widower? Also is he entitled to some of her pension from work - I don't think she provided for him as she assumed he would die before her because of the age difference. Will he get half automatically or does this die with her? Her pension was the mainstay while she was alive, as it was much bigger than his. Hope this is plain - bit difficult to explain.

[boxtops]

If it's anything like our works pension, my husband will only get a widowers' pension from my employer because I nominated him to do so. If the wife didn't make a nomination, he might not get anything.

[boxtops]

This might help re the State pension aspect http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/what-happens-to-your-state-pension-when-you-die

[ubasses]

The Company Pension will depend on the rules of the fund. Some die with the pensioner, a lot will pay out a percentage, usually 50%. If he can find any of the paperwork it will tell him, otherwise a phone call to them will be required.

[starone]

Yes, boxtops, that was what I was thinking, although I am not sure of my facts. She would have had to nominate him, I think, and judging by what she told me I don't think she did. If not, I wondered if it might be automatic as the laws change so often that I could be wrong. I hope for his sake that I am as his income will be drastically reduced.

[boxtops]

He (or someone appropriate) will need to contact her pension provider anyway, to advise of the death, so could ask the question then?

[starone]

Thanks boxtops, I will try and advise him. She always dealt with the money as he is hopeless (with money I mean). I have already given him a lecture about not making any grandiose plans before he knows how much he is going to get. I think he also was under the impression that there was a lot of money in the bank - and there isn't. No wonder she managed it and didn't let him get his hands on it. You would never believe he was 86!

[starone]

Thanks to you also ubasses - a good suggestion re paperwork. I will get him to have a look. There may be something to tell us. Don't think he has done anything yet so I shall have to try and get him to concentrate on it.

[PeelerPal]

Well if he is 86 my contention is he will probably get to live on about 4ars if he's healthy

[dzug2]

Nominations are usually for a death benefit capital sum - paid out to the nominee and by passing estate and probate. If there were no nominee then the trustees of the scheme have the discretion to pay out to whoever they choose - they would normally pass it to a widow/er but can choose differently if the circumstances warrant it. They are generally 'death in service' benefits - only paid out if the deceased were still working

A pension (ie monthly payment) is normally independent of any nomination and is paid automatically to the widow/er on proof of id and death. Sometimes they cease on remarriage

But there's a whole range of options and it's the particular scheme rules that matter. I'd be surprised if there were no pension at all - they've been pretty much standard since the 70's

[ladyalex]

It will depend on the work scheme whether he gets a widower's pension or not.
Many schemes did not provide pensions for widowers until they were essentially forced to in the 1990s, so he may not be entitled to anything, this despite women paying into the scheme at the same percentage rate as their male colleagues.
If he is entitled to a widower's pension, it will be set at a percentage of his late wife's pension, the percentage depending on the terms of the scheme, but unlikely to be greater than 50%.
Sorry to possibly be the bearer of bad news.