Anyone know about Widow's pension? BIL has terminal cancer :(

[NotActuallyAMum]

BIL has just been diagnosed with terminal cancer

My sister is of course beside herself but can't help worrying (amongst everything else of course) how she's going to manage financially. I've just looked it up on the DSS website, from what I've read it doesn't look like she'll be entitled to anything because of her age! She's only 40

Any advice would be much appreciated

have a look here

Thank you so much for that throckenholt, and for the quick reply

After a quick read it looks like she'll be entitled to a one-off £2,000 plus widowed parents allowance (their youngest is 16 and still in full-time education)

Thanks again

Just read that Widowed Parents Allowance is £95 a week, that'll be such a relief for her. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

not a nice thing to have to contemplate - but now would be the time to work out what in service benefits he has, and are they valid if he is off sick long term. Do they have any life assurance, mortgage payoffs etc.

They are maybe the sort of thing you can help with - might be too tough for her (or him) to contemplate.

I guess there are two typical responses - wanting to ignore it all, and wanting to get everything sorted before it is too late.

Did they give any idea of timescales ? The other thing - children, how old ? Can you get any bereavement counselling for them in place (winston's wish ?)

If you can help take some of the panic away that will help them cope with the inevitable

Please, please make sure he has an up-to-date will in place.

One of the mums at school has just been widowed and it turns out the will was very out of date and it means all of probate, etc, is taking much longer than it need do which is just adding to her stress and uncertainty.

My best wishes go to all of them.

They definitely have mortgage cover so the house will be paid for, thankfully. She does work full time too so will have some income, but that £95 a week should see that she's comfortable. He's been given 3 months off work with pay initially (thank you McVities, what a fab company). I have to be honest and say I haven't asked about timescales, you don't like to do you? If they knew, and wanted others to know, they'd tell us. It's very awkward right now because they've decided they're not telling the kids till after Christmas (they're 20, 19 and 16)

What's Winston's wish? Not heard of that

Blimey Toffeepopple, thank you - I hadn't even thought about a Will! I'd bet a years wages he hasn't got one. Oh bugger...

I have of course told her I'm here for her for whatever she needs me to do, but until the kids know I'm taking the "do nothing and say nothing till I'm asked" approach. I will though when I get chance ask her about a Will, I've heard what chaos it can cause without one. Can't believe I didn't think about that myself

So sorry to read your news. I was widowed 7 years ago to cancer. The most important thing to do (practical/financial wise) is make sure there is an up to date will. We had a solicitor come out to our house as my husband was quite ill. Most firms should be able to do this.

If your BIL's employer is supportive try contacting them for advice. They will advise re Death in Service but also any further pension payouts. I still receive an annual income from my late DH's pension fund.

Also check if your BIL has previously paid into other pension funds as your sister may be entitled lump sums/monthly incomes from these.

AFAIK any death in service benefits don't count towards the estate so if there are any debts that money doesn't have to go towards clearing them.

winston's wish - they may be a bit old for that though.

My dad died when I was 18 - so I know what it feels like (although it was sudden with him).

Worth talking with school/college to let them know what is going on - once they kids know about it of course.

Sorry for your loss too dutchmanswife. She will know about any pensions he's got, she's very clued up on things like that and they've been together nearly 25 years (she was only 16)

I really must get her to sort a Will for him. He's been married before and has two other children he hasn't seen for years...

Yes throckenholt I will suggest she calls his school, although he's a very sensible lad so will probably tell them himself. He's in sixth form (or whatever it's called these days) so it's further education not 'normal' school

my dad died just before my mock A levels - it made concentrating difficult and revising impossible - so it is important to get the college onside.

How awful throckenholt

I'm sure my sister will speak to the school once they've told the kids, but I will prompt her. Needless to say she's not really thinking straight right now