In 2009 my brother died suddenly. He was divorced many years previously. I did the probate. He didn't leave a will. I contacted all banks, pension providers etc and probate went through smoothly. I was the sole beneficiary. One of the companies that I contacted in 2009 was Aegon, asking them if my brother had a pension or insurance policy with them. They replied quite quickly, telling me that he didn't have any policies with them. 13 years later, just before this last Christmas I was contacted out of the blue by Aegon trying to trace my brother's next of kin. It now appears that they made an error in 2009 and he did in fact hold a pension with them.
I have provided them with copies of their own letter dated early 2010 telling me that he didn't have any policies with them and I have requested, as executor (administrator) full details of the pension etc. They are now refusing to release ANY information on the grounds that I was not nominated by my brother and that to do so would breach Data Protection regs.
From a little research its clear that data protection doesn't apply to deceased persons and I also believed that as administrator for my brothers estate I'd be entitled to all of his personal financial details in order to ensure everything has been done within the law and due process followed. I know that the pension may fall outside the estate for tax purposes but nevertheless I thought details still needed to be provided to the executor to ensure that, for example, the deceased hadn't paid any large sums into the pension in the 2 years before death .
Aegon seem to be being very evasive and unhelpful.
Any thoughts/advice appreciated.