Is it worth going back to late DH's pension company?

[WillitFit]

DH died a year ago. There was an old defined benefit pension from a previous job that I get a small pension from.

At the time DC were 18 & 20 and working full time so did not qualify for a dependents pension.

However, DS2, now 19yo is about to return to full time education and will be dependent.

I suspect it's too late, but can he now apply for the dependent's pension?

Definitely worth asking, it’ll depend on the scheme but some of them do have that sort of flexibility.

Nobody can tell you as it’s scheme dependent. But why would you not? It literally won’t cost you more than 10 minutes of your time to write an email.

You can appeal to the scheme trustees. If they decline I’d ask again. If he had maintained his education he would get it, why should it matter that a bereaved child (as in descendent) didn’t think clearly at such a traumatic time? Lay it on thick.

good luck

Was your DH part of any professional body? My dad passed away and my sister was able to get funding from the benevolent fund attached to the professional registration he had. This was a couple of years after he died and was used for a Masters course. Worth trying the pension tho.