UK State Pension

[Duncan 100]

Hi Guys, I have a Thai wife and I'm from the UK. Could anyone tell me, if I die before her, does she get any part of my UK State pension, if so for how long. Is there any other benefits she is entitled to if I die first ?

 

Many thanks 

[billd766]

when you die, your state pension dies with you. If you have lived in the UK with your Thai wife, AFAIK your wife is not entitled to any of your pension, but if she has been working and paying National Insurance contributions she should be entitled to a state pension in her own name. 

 

However to get the full state pension she will have to pay NIC for 33 years, I think.

 

The next problem is that if she is now living in Thailand and she tells the pension people that she now lives in Thailand, her pension will be frozen (if she is entitled to a state pension). The DWP does not allow state pensions to be transferred to any other person, not even to children.

 

Again, AFAIK she like you, I and many other pensioners, cannot legally claim and UK benefits whilst living in Thailand.

 

Believe it or not, there are over 500,000 UK pensioners who have had their pensions frozen from the day they first got it.

 

There have been quite a few threads on AN about specifically Thailand and UK frozen pensions.

 

I am sorry to give you such a gloomy response.

 

I have a similar problem as you with frozen pensions and what happens when I die.

[3NUMBAS]

They’re quick too ,pension shuts down fast once they have a hint your dead

[lungbing]

OP,

Although not in your original question, your wife may be entitled to part of any private  pension you have, like a works pension.  Check if there's a handbook for such pension scheme.

 

My wife is entitled to half my company pension because we were married before I started to draw that pension.  But different pension schemes have different rules.

[hotandsticky]

20 hours ago, 3NUMBAS said:

They’re quick too ,pension shuts down fast once they have a hint your dead

 

 

That sounds fair enough.

[hotandsticky]

20 hours ago, billd766 said:

when you die, your state pension dies with you. If you have lived in the UK with your Thai wife, AFAIK your wife is not entitled to any of your pension, but if she has been working and paying National Insurance contributions she should be entitled to a state pension in her own name. 

 

However to get the full state pension she will have to pay NIC for 33 years, I think.

 

The next problem is that if she is now living in Thailand and she tells the pension people that she now lives in Thailand, her pension will be frozen (if she is entitled to a state pension). The DWP does not allow state pensions to be transferred to any other person, not even to children.

 

Again, AFAIK she like you, I and many other pensioners, cannot legally claim and UK benefits whilst living in Thailand.

 

Believe it or not, there are over 500,000 UK pensioners who have had their pensions frozen from the day they first got it.

 

There have been quite a few threads on AN about specifically Thailand and UK frozen pensions.

 

I am sorry to give you such a gloomy response.

 

I have a similar problem as you with frozen pensions and what happens when I die.

 

 

Confirmed  -  husband or wife have their own state pension based on their own NI contributions.

 

If she was resident in the UK at the time of her husband's death she could claim a Bereavement Support Payment.

 

Occupational pensions are a different matter and she could be entitled to up to 50%.

[Duncan 100]

Thanks Guys,

 

My wife has been living, working and paying NI in the UK for the last 18 years, she is still on a Temporary Leave to Remain Visa, as she can't pass the Life in the UK test. Do you think she is entitled to some sort of UK State Pension ?  

[RayC]

In theory yes, but she should contact The International Centre (+44 (0) 191 218 7777) to confirm her individual situation.

[Liverpool Lou]

22 hours ago, 3NUMBAS said:

They’re quick too ,pension shuts down fast once they have a hint your dead

Of course.   Why shouldn't it cease?

[Liverpool Lou]

17 minutes ago, RayC said:

In theory yes, but she should contact The International Centre (+44 (0) 191 218 7777) to confirm her individual situation.

If she's in the UK and been paying NICs for 18 years there is no need for her to contact the International Centre, she just has to request a pension estimate from the DWP.

[Liverpool Lou]

1 hour ago, Duncan 100 said:

My wife has been living, working and paying NI in the UK for the last 18 years, she is still on a Temporary Leave to Remain Visa, as she can't pass the Life in the UK test. Do you think she is entitled to some sort of UK State Pension ?

Call the DWP and ask them!

[Phulublub]

2 hours ago, Duncan 100 said:

Thanks Guys,

 

My wife has been living, working and paying NI in the UK for the last 18 years, she is still on a Temporary Leave to Remain Visa, as she can't pass the Life in the UK test. Do you think she is entitled to some sort of UK State Pension ?  

She must, therefore have a UK NI Number - she should register on the HMRC website where she will be able to see her entitlement

 

PH

[mancub]

1 hour ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Of course.   Why shouldn't it cease?

It should. of course, but in the probate case which I am pursuing (on behalf of the Thai widow), 9 months after his passing. his Gov pension was still being paid. His private pensions had been cancelled though !

I have since informed HMRC, but it makes me wonder if the pension would have been paid until they didn't receive the bi-annual "certificate of Life".

Also. wonder how they would go about clawing back the overpayment if the account wasn't subject to probate ?