INHERITED SERPS (State Earnings Related Pensions)

Most members will be aware that on the death of a spouse the surviving partner can claim some or all of the deceased's entitlement to a State Earnings Related Pension. (This got a lot of publicity a couple of years ago as a result of which the Government were persuaded to revise the rules covering the proportion of a SERPS pension which could be inherited). The claim is usually made by completing a "Bereavement Allowances" form which the Registrar provides when the death is registered. Details of how this relates to SERPS payments can be found in a leaflet "Inheritance of SERPS - Important information for married people (SERPSSL1)", available from social security offices and job centres or by calling the Inherited SERPS enquiry line on 0845 600 6116. It is also available on The Pension Service website at www.thepensionservice.gov.uk/serps.

What is not made clear in this leaflet, however, is that even if the deceased was "contracted out" of SERPS as a result of membership of an approved occupational pension scheme (such as the British Steel scheme) there could still be an entitlement. Calculating how much is horribly complicated and is best left to the experts in the pensions service but if you don't claim you will never find out. So if you have recently been bereaved but have not completed the form provided by the registrar because you didn't think you were entitled to any benefits, DO IT NOW. You may get a surprise. If the death occurred some time ago and you no longer have the form, contact your local office of the Department of Work & Pensions and ask them if you are entitled.

Back to NEWS INDEX

Back to INFORMATION PAGE

.