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BENEVOLENCEShell Pensions:Bereavement Checklist By Kim NorthWhen bereavement occurs, it can be overwhelming trying tofigure out the steps that you need to take to finalise a person’saffairs. The Pensions Helpline receives many queries from memberswho are planning their affairs in order to assist their loved onesin the event of their death. We have highlighted some key stepsbelow with regards to your Shell pension, which may assist yournext-of-kin following your death.1. Personal Details – As a pre-emptive measure, always ensurethat the information we hold on record is current. If your addresshas changed, inform the team as soon as possible. If your maritalstatus has changed, we will also need to see copies of certifyingdocuments. Having current details on record at the date of deathreduces the time it can take for the team and your next-of-kin tofinalise the administration of your pension.2. Shell Contact Details – It can help to share our contactdetails with next-of-kin. Some members elect to keep this kind ofinformation in a clearly labelled file, which is then shared withnext-of-kin.3. Contact us ASAP – Your next-of-kin will need to contactthe team either by calling: 0207 934 1190, or by contactingyour Pension Liaison Representative as soon as possible. Anydelay may result in overpayments being made to your bankaccount after the date of death, which will need to be eitherrepaid by the Estate, or settled separately by your next-of-kin.4. Death Certificate – The team needs to see a copy ofa death certificate. This doesn’t need to be an originaldocument; a photocopy or scanned email attachment willsuffice. However, if the individual managing your affairsdoes decide to send in an original, the team will ensure thatit is returned securely by recorded delivery.5. Qualifying Spouse/Dependent’s Pension – if youhave a current spouse, they will automatically be entitled toreceive a pension equalling 60% of the value of your precommutedpension (i.e. if you took a lump sum at retirement,it is based on the larger value of your pension rather than theresidual amount after a reduction for a lump sum payment).In order to set up the spouse’s pension, we will have to close downyour record and set up one for your spouse. It is important to makeyour next-of-kin aware of this fact for the purposes of financialplanning. The process of calculating a spouse’s pension, preparingthe application forms and setting up the pension will take time.The sooner we receive notification and subsequently have theforms returned to us, the sooner we will be able to commencepaying the pension to your spouse.If you are living with an adult who can be provably shown to befinancially interdependent on your pension income, you may wishto undertake the Dependant’s Assurance process. By sending inproof of shared financial responsibilities, it may be possible foryour partner to receive a dependent’s pension in the event of yourdeath. You should contact the team as soon as possible, so thatwe can send out the form to begin the process.SHELL PENSIONERS BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATIONLloyds TSB Bank future transferThe SBPA exists principally on donations made by Shellpensioners, for fellow pensioners who are in distress andrequire benevolence to assist with items such as stairlifts,bathroom refurbishments, mobility aids and urgenthousing repairs.Donors, who had contributed through a payroll deductionfrom their pension (GAYE) until Shell withdrew this facilityin June, were asked if they would continue to contribute bymaking a monthly Gift Aid donation through a standingorder instruction with their bank. This was inconvenient but,due to the efforts of the SPBA secretariat and the goodwillof many donors, the level of contributions was not severelyimpacted.Now another problem is in the offing: Lloyds TSB will beclosing their South Bank branch in York Road and SPBAaccounts will be transferred to the branch in the Strand.Consequently, new sort code and bank account numberswill be allocated, as banking procedures require all standingorder payees to issue a new standing order instruction tothe new account. Once we have a date for the transfer, Iwill contact the current donors with a letter of explanationand a new standing order instruction for completion.If, like many ex-Shell Centre employees, you have an accountwith Lloyds at South Bank, I understand that you will becontacted by the bank about any arrangements they maypropose.If you are interested in knowing more about the SPBA, orwould like to contribute, please contact me on 020 79345131 or visit the website: http://www.shell.co.uk/home/content/gbr/aboutshell/pensioners_association/member_benefits/pensions_advice/benevolence/Ian LanderyouSPA NEWS | 13