When a pensioner dies

A random set of BAE images We hope that this checklist will provide practical, positive help to make a distressing time a little easier to deal with.

You may wish to print this page and keep it with your will, making sure that your partner or next of kin knows exactly where to find it. You might also find it useful if you are trying to put your affairs in order.

  1. Notify the BAE Systems Pensions Service Centre so that death benefits can be processed quickly.
  2. Advise the Funeral Director of the death and if appropriate the religious minister.
  3. Visit doctor/hospital/Coroner’s Office to obtain medical certificate of the cause of death.
  4. Take medical certificate to register the death with Registrar of Births, Marriages and Deaths within five days of death.
  5. Visit the Funeral Director and give them the form from the Registrar.
  6. The Benefits Agency needs to be advised (in person at the local office or in writing) of the death. They will need:
    - Death Certificate
    - Birth And Marriage Certificates
    - Return of any pension books
    Get the forms and apply for bereavement allowance and bereavement payment. (Bereavement allowance is not payable to those over State retirement age).
  7. Find the deceased’s will (if any). If the deceased's assets contained in the will total more than £5,000 it is likely you will need to apply for a grant of probate - either by making a personal application through the probate registry or with the help of a solicitor. If there is no will, apply for letters of administration.
  8. The deceased’s bank accounts need to be closed. If the account was in joint names, ask for the deceased be removed from the account. Ask if there are any direct debits or standing orders. If you need these to continue, new ones may have to be arranged. A surviving spouse will need to open a bank account if they don't have one.
  9. Did the deceased have any investments?
    - Savings accounts with banks or building societies
    - National Savings
    - Bonds
    - Shares
    - ISAs/PEPs
    Each of the above will need to be advised of the death and of the person to whom the ownership or benefits are to be transferred.
  10. If there are other company pensions from previous employers, notify each of these.
  11. Insurance - did the deceased have any death benefits or other policies including car insurance? If so, notify the insurer. It is important to follow their instructions so that any benefits can be processed quickly and any rebates paid. Ensure where appropriate that insurance such as house insurance is transferred to name of surviving spouse.
  12. Notify the Local Authority of the death and seek single occupant or unoccupied premises reduction of Council Tax where appropriate.
  13. In the case of Council Housing/Housing Association, ensure tenancy is transferred into name of any surviving spouse.
  14. If the deceased owned any motor vehicles, the DVLA at Swansea needs to be informed by completing part V5/1 car keeper’s certificate.
Other people to tell

  1. Local Social Services if deceased had meals on wheels or other services
  2. Any hospital that the deceased attended
  3. Family doctor and dentist
  4. HMRC – you will need to quote the deceased’s National Insurance number.
    For BAE Systems Pension Scheme and ROPS members:
    HM Inspector of Taxes, Sefton Area Service Office, The Triad, Stanley Road, Bootle, Merseyside, L75 1HW.
    For 2000 Plan members:
    HM Inspector of Taxes, Leeds 1 TSO, Castle House, 31 Lisbon Street, Leeds LS1 4SS
    (If you are a beneficiary being taxed under our scheme for the first time, you will be taxed under an emergency coding until our tax office sends you a form to register other income. This may take up to three months. You are responsible for completing the form to ensure your own tax coding is correct.)
  5. Utility Companies – Gas/Electricity/Water/Telephone
  6. Housing Department (if deceased had council house/housing benefit)
  7. Post Office to redirect post if the house of deceased is unoccupied
  8. People who deliver items – pay any outstanding accounts and tell them of any new delivery requirements
  9. Trade unions if deceased was a member – check if there is any death benefit available
  10. Any clubs or associations of which the deceased was a member
Things to send back

  1. Order books, Payable orders, Giro cheques and so on to the Benefits Office or other office which issued them
  2. Passport to the Passport Agency
  3. Driving Licence to the DVLA
  4. National Insurance papers to the Benefits Agency
  5. Any NHS equipment e.g. wheelchairs
  6. Bus pass or other travel permits to the local authority
  7. Library books and tickets, videos, DVDs or CDs
  8. Membership cards of clubs/associations