Pension Overpaid

[milly143]

My Dad received his pension on the usual date this month, however they had paid him significantly more (about 3 x) than he usually gets. Should he do anything or just keep quiet and see if they ask for it back?

[squarebear]

Tell them, they WILL find it eventually.

[factor-fiction]

t's always a difficult one. If he spends the money and they ask for it back he'll almost certainly have to repay it at fairly short notice. Even if he says nothing he'll need to keep the money to one side just in case they ask for it, so he won't get any benefit from it except some interest. And he may spend a fair amount of time worrying that they will come back and ask for it. And it could be argued that by failing to point it out he has been dishonest.
I think it's likely they;ll notice.
On the other hand the payment may be correct- so if you query it and they say "it is right- keep it" then he can enjoy it.

[wolf63]

Check to see if any paperwork has arrived regarding the pension (I presume that we are talking about a government pension and not an occupational pension). It may be that the payment is legit.

I wouldn't contact them but would wait and see what happens - see if his next payment is different in any way.

[milly143]

Well I told him he should probably get in touch with them but he seems reluctant to do that. He has set it aside in a savings account for the time being. Not that it will earn much in interest. I suppose it's up to him really. It worries me a bit though. I should have stated it's his pension from the RAF.

[factor-fiction]

If his pension is taxed at source it may be something to do with a repayment of overpaid tax. Did he receive any paperwork which shows how the payment amount was made up?

[bushbaby_de]

Does it maybe have winter fuel allowance included in it?

[milly143]

I asked if he heard anything from them and he said he doesn't think he notified them that he moved - in January 10! I despair sometimes.

I believe he received his winter fuel allowance seperately a few months back. Although if it was included in that payment, it wouldn't have been anywhere near the amount he received.

[factor-fiction]

If the pension you are talking about is an RAF pension I don't see that that the winter fuel allowance will have anything to with it as that's paid by the DWP.