How to Notify NOW: Pensions After a Death in the UK

How to Notify NOW: Pensions After a Death in the UK

If the person who died had a workplace pension with NOW: Pensions, call NOW: Pensions on 0333 091 8612 and tell them about the death. They ask for the person’s full name, date of birth and National Insurance number, then explain what evidence and forms are needed next.

Workplace pensions can be easy to miss during death administration. They may not appear on bank statements, and the family may only find them through an old payslip, P60, annual pension statement or employer email.

What to gather before you call

You do not need a perfect file before making the first notification. The aim of the first call is to stop routine communications, register the death and find out what the pension scheme needs.

Try to gather:

• the person’s full name
• date of birth
• date of death
• National Insurance number
• last known address
• employer name, if you know it
• any NOW: Pensions member number or statement
• your own contact details and relationship to the person
• a copy of the death certificate, if already available

NOW: Pensions says the National Insurance number can often be found on a payslip, P60, or official letters and emails. If you cannot find it, still call and explain what you do have.

Why pensions are different from bank accounts

A workplace pension is not handled in exactly the same way as a current account or savings account. The pension may include savings built up through employee and employer contributions. When the member dies, the scheme must decide who should receive any death benefit.

NOW: Pensions explains that its Trustee has the final say over who receives the money. The Trustee will usually consider any instructions the person left, such as an expression of wish, but those wishes are not always legally binding in the same way as a will.

That distinction matters. An executor may be responsible for the estate, but pension death benefits may be dealt with by the pension scheme trustee rather than simply paid into the estate automatically.

What is an expression of wish?

An expression of wish is a record of who the pension member wanted to receive pension savings or death benefits after their death. It may name one person, several people, a charity, or percentages for different beneficiaries.

If the person kept their expression of wish up to date, it can make the trustee’s decision easier. If it is old, missing or no longer reflects the person’s family situation, the trustee may need more information before deciding.

Common reasons an expression of wish may be out of date include:

• marriage or civil partnership
• divorce or separation
• the birth of children
• the death of a named beneficiary
• estrangement or changed family circumstances
• moving from one employer pension scheme to another

If you are dealing with the pension, avoid promising relatives that payment will go to a specific person until NOW: Pensions has confirmed the outcome.

What documents might be needed?

The first call should confirm the exact documents needed. These can vary depending on who is claiming, the value involved, and whether the scheme needs to verify identity or bank details.

You may be asked for:

• evidence of death, such as a death certificate
• your proof of identity
• your address details
• bank details for payment, if you are a beneficiary
• information about spouse, partner, children or dependants
• copies of estate documents if relevant
• forms supplied by NOW: Pensions

NOW: Pensions says it will send a form setting out what it needs from the person receiving money. Wait for that specific request before sending documents unnecessarily.

Tax and timing points to know

Pension death benefits have tax rules that can change depending on timing and circumstances. NOW: Pensions’ public guidance says that, under current rules, trustee-paid pension savings can be paid outside inheritance tax, although this is expected to change from 6 April 2027 and final legislation may still matter.

NOW: Pensions also notes that if payment is made more than two years after the scheme is told about the death, pension savings may be taxed according to HM Revenue & Customs rules. If the scheme has not paid all the money within six years of the date of death, further scheme rules may apply.

The safe action is simple: notify the pension provider early. Even if probate is taking months, the pension scheme needs to know promptly so the process can start and timing rules are not missed.

This is not a reason to rush a claim without understanding it. It is a reason to make the notification and keep the paperwork moving.

Do you also need to tell the State Pension?

Yes, if the person was receiving State Pension, that is separate from NOW: Pensions. NOW: Pensions’ guidance points families to the Pension Service for State Pension notification, with the helpline listed as 0800 731 0469.

In many cases Tell Us Once will notify government departments after the death is registered, but do not assume every pension has been covered. Private, workplace and personal pensions normally need separate contact.

What if you cannot find the pension paperwork?

Many people have several small workplace pensions from previous jobs. If you suspect a NOW: Pensions account exists but cannot find the details, search for:

• emails from NOW: Pensions
• payslips showing pension deductions
• P60s
• annual benefit statements
• old employer letters
• app or online account records
• pension transfer documents

You can also list former employers and dates of employment. That information may help the pension scheme trace membership.

A tool like GetPassage can help here because it keeps pension providers, employers and follow-up dates in one place rather than scattered across notes and email threads.

What to say when you call

Use plain language. You do not need legal wording.

You can say:

“I’m calling to tell you that [full name] has died. I believe they had a workplace pension with NOW: Pensions. I have their date of birth and National Insurance number. Please tell me what you need from me and whether there may be a death benefit.”

Then ask:

• Have you found a member record?
• Is there an expression of wish on file?
• What documents do you need now?
• Who will receive forms from you?
• Is there a reference number for future calls?
• Are there any time limits I should know about?

Checklist for notifying NOW: Pensions

1. Look for payslips, P60s, employer emails and pension statements.
2. Find the National Insurance number if possible.
3. Call NOW: Pensions on 0333 091 8612.
4. Ask for the notification to be recorded and request a reference.
5. Wait for the specific form and document list.
6. Keep copies of everything sent.
7. Tell the Pension Service separately if State Pension was being paid.
8. Do not distribute pension money until the trustee decision is confirmed.

Pension administration can feel technical, but the first step is not complicated. Notify the scheme, keep a clear record, and let the trustee process confirm what happens next.