pension beneficiary

no he did not make a will and he has a three year old son with his new wife.

I found this on the pension advisory service website:

www.pensionsadvisoryservice.org.uk/workp...hemes/death-benefits

Do the Trustees have to follow my expression of wish form?

No. Lump sums are paid at the discretion of the scheme trustees. This is to exempt the beneficiaries from inheritance tax liabilities. The trustees have a duty to ensure that the lump sum is paid properly, taking into account the member's wishes and anyone that may have been financially dependent on the member when they died.

In your late brother's case I expect they are being very thorough to protect themselves.

Given he has left a wife and a dependant child I expect the trustees will pay out the benefits to them.

Phil

The Divorce IFA

Although I am a Resolution Accredited Independent Financial Adviser my comments are given here as general guidance based on the (often limited) information available and does not constitute financial advice. They should not be seen as a substitute for detailed financial and legal advice.