Occupational pensions

[HHH3]

I was wondering if anyone knows whether an occupational pension is likely to pay out to a dependent in the event of suicide? My first thought is that no-one would but are there some that do?

TIA

It depends on the rules of the scheme and TBH what type of pension it is.

Do you need some support OP?

DS2's father committed suicide. His brother called yesterday to ask if he could have DS's birth certificate as the occupational pension may pay to any dependents. Not sure if it's going to happen anyway now as he said the as he wasn't on the bc then they probably won't pay out. But it got me wondering whether they'd pay anything anyway as it was suicide.

As PP said it will depend on the exact scheme and the terms of any underlying insurance. However IME (I am a solicitor specialising in pensions) a scheme will usually pay out in cases of suicide. This is because they're not really the same thing as a life policy that someone takes out for themself.

Re your DS getting any money, if his father was not on the birth certificate this shouldn't automatically mean he doesn't get considered for scheme benefits. I would explain why he wasn't on the bc, provide any evidence you have of paternity and/or paternal support for your DS and see what they say.

Thank-you mrsmalcolm - that's really helpful.

Documents proving his father was paying maintenance through CSA and had accepted paternity have been provided so I'm hoping that those will be enough. I'd love to be able to put as much of that money aside as possible for when he's older.

That sounds good - good luck. You may well find that the scheme will want to pay any money for your son into a trust for his benefit with you and one other as trustees. So it may be worth starting to think about who would be a good co-trustee.