DOCUMENTATION
For your protection, it is essential that certain documents are produced as soon as possible in order to ensure that benefits are paid to the right people, and also to establish their identity.
Therefore, the following original documents may need to be submitted:
- death certificate
- marriage certificate
- surviving spouse/
- partner’s birth certificate
- children’s birth certificates
- proof of children’s further education or training
- Doctor’s certificate of disability
- Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration
A Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration
A Grant is not necessary in order for the Fund to pay any pensions due nor is one usually necessary if a member has completed a Death Grant Nomination Form.
A Grant may be required in order to pay a lump sum death grant or any arrears of pension in excess of £5000 where a member has not completed a Death Grant Nomination Form and does not leave a spouse/partner, therefore, leaving the Fund unsure of whom to pay the benefit.
A Grant is a legal document issued by the Probate Registry authorising someone to deal with the Estate of a deceased person. That person collects all monies, settles any debts, releases capital from property and possessions and distributes the proceeds to those entitled to a share of the Estate.
The type of Grant applied for depends on whether a Will has been written.
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Lump sum Death Grants are not payable to an estate.
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If there is no Will
A Will is a legal document stating how the deceased person wishes his or her Estate to be shared. The people to receive a share of the Estate are the Beneficiaries and the people chosen to administer the Will are the Executors, who are usually the people who apply for a Grant of Probate. This certifies that the Will is authentic.
If a Will has not been written then it may be necessary to apply to the Probate Registry for Letters of Administration. Like a Grant of Probate, Letters of Administration legally authorise someone to deal with the Estate of the deceased person.
If a Death Grant Nomination form has not been completed by a member
If the Fund has not received a member’s Death Grant Nomination form and there is no spouse/partner, you may decide to employ a solicitor to deal with the Estate on your behalf but if you wish to apply for a Grant and handle the Estate yourself.
The Fund requests a copy of either a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration before any lump sum payment in excess of £5000 can be made. Other organisations like Banks and Building societies may ask for a copy as well.
For lump sum payments of less than £5000 where Letters of Administration are not always necessary, the Fund sends the beneficiary an indemnity form to complete. This absolves the Fund of any further liability to make payments should anyone else make a claim to the Estate.
In any case, the Fund contacts you, or someone you have nominated to act on your behalf, to tell you which documents need to be seen. Any documents you send to the Fund are copied and original documents are returned immediately.
Any Queries
If you have any queries regarding documentation or benefit calculation, please contact the Fund’s Benefit Section on 0151 242 1391. The name of the person dealing with your claim is usually at the top of any letters sent to you.
Useful Documents
