Widow's pension

[miacat]

Can anyone offer some info/advice regarding what happens to pensions when your spouse dies? My father in law has just passed away and we're trying to sort out all the legal stuff so my poor mother in law doesn't have to deal with it. She did not work all her life so only receives a very small pension, is it correct tha she can now clam off of his contributions? Don't want to bother her with too many questions regarding finance (obviously) so would really appreciate a general idea of wha to do next? Thank you so much.

[chrissa1]

She will be entitled to the £2000 Death Benefit straightaway.

[hc4361]

Is this useful?

http://www.hmrc.gov.u...eimanual/eim74607.htm

[boxtops]

Did he have a works pension? there might be a widow's benefit due under that.

[boxtops]

This might help http://www.citizensin..._contrib_pension.html

[hc4361]

Sorry, please ignore that link. It is irrelevant as it stopped in 2001 and was replaced by this:

http://www.hmrc.gov.u...eimanual/eim74607.htm

[miacat]

Thanks for your help, should have mentioned she is already pensionable age so don't thnkg "widows pensions" or death benefits apply.....?

[boxtops]

IMO everyone gets the Death Benefit lump sum.

[miacat]

Also we live in Scotland, if this is relevant?

[boxtops]

Have a look here re pension and DB entitlements http://www.pensionsad...nsions/death-benefits

[miacat]

Oh, ok, thanks boxtops, as you can probably tell, I kow nothng! Will look into that one, thanks

[boxtops]

very relevant - here's scottish info http://www.adviceguid..._and_bereavement.html

[miacat]

That site is awesome boxtops, thanks so much for all your help

[boxtops]

My pleasure, I hope it helps

[THECORBYLOON]

If both were getting the state pension, there's no entitlement to the £2,000 Bereavement Payment but there will be if the late partner was pension age but not receiving it. The partner's contribution record will be used to determine the rate of benefit whether he was getting the pension or no but as the mother-in-law was getting only a wee bit it sounds like he'd not claimed it.