Raf Pensions

[Rockrose]

I may have mentioned this before but just wanted to check I was right.
Is it true that your RAF pension dies with you?
Your spouse gets nothing?
Thank you

[fiction-factory]

I don't think that's the case. The website refers to dependant's benefits, spouse benefits and same sex partner benefits.
What makes you think the pension dies with you.
It may of course depend on the scheme- some very old ones may not have covered spouses, and maybe there was a qualifying period/minimum contribution period- or maybe an opt out

[sherrardk]

Can’t help with the RAF pension but maybe the British Legion has some sort of support it could offer your step mum?

[Rockrose]

Step mum is under the impression it does as he retired from the force sometime ago.
My Stepmum is young enough to work full time but obviously I would like to see her taken care off and I’m angry that dad served his country for so long and no one seems to care.

[hc4361]

You should find all the information you need here:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pensions-and-compensation-for-veterans

[fiction-factory]

Was she married to him at the time he was in the scheme? Was there a previous wife?

[fiction-factory]

https://www.moneyforce.org.uk/Managing-crises/Bereavement/Death-of-Service-person/Pension-and-benefit-entitlements-for-spouse
Really though she should write to the scheme or get British Legion involved

[Rockrose]

Yes they have been married 12 years and he was previously widowed

[Rockrose]

I will look at the links thanks

[retrocop]

R.A.F.A. is more likely to have that information.
https://www.rafa.org.uk/

[fiction-factory]

I think there is a good chance the pension was only payable to your dad while he was alive and to the original spouse. I don't know this scheme but I can see why a scheme might not continue paying to a new wife. I know this wasn't the scenario in your dad's case but I can foresee difficulties if a male pensioner remarries an 18 year old girl say as they might then have to pay a widow's pension for a further 70+years
hhttps://www.ctp.org.uk/assets/document/400281

[fiction-factory]

When did he remarry- i.e. marry your step mum- was he still in the RAF at the time he remarried or was he already drawing his pension?

[fiction-factory]

corrected link
https://www.ctp.org.uk/assets/document/400281

[bhg481]

I suspect it all depends on exactly when the first wife died, when he retired, when he re-married and if he informed the RAF of the marriages. I think the pension scheme will be very similar to the Civil Service scheme, which does pay a widow on a pensioners death with caveats. eg, if the widow re-marries or even cohabits the pension will cease. If he was a widower at the time of his retirement he might have got a pension refund because there would not be a widow to claim a pension on his death. I also seem to remember having to declare who my widow might be so, if he didn't change that information, there might not be anyone listed as his widow.

[fiction-factory]

I think bhg has it.

[retrocop]

This site is all about RAF pensions and entitlements

https://www.rafbf.org/raf-widows/useful-information

[retrocop]

RAF Pensions
Pay and pensions enquiry service

Address: AFPAA (G) Pensions Division, Mail Point 480, Kentigern House, 65 Brown Street, Glasgow, G2 8EX
Telephone: [phone] or 0141 224 3600
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]

[Rockrose]

Thank you for all your help

[CrapAtCryptics]

In my bit of the Civil Service the surviving partner gets half the pension.

[Rockrose]

Update - whilst they were unable to confirm if there was an entitlement they have sent a widows packet to my stepmum to fill in and to see if there is any entitlement.
Once again thank you for your help

[fiction-factory]

>In my bit of the Civil Service the surviving partner gets half the pension.
That is the case normally but I think Rockrose's stepmum's case is a bit more complicated as there has been a second marriage