I discovered my husband's pension 11 years after he died - a year on, I'm still waiting to get it: CRANE ON THE CASE
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My husband, Jim died in 2012. In December 2023, I was contacted out of the blue by an heir tracing firm and asked if I was his next of kin. I called the company to verify that I was, and in January 2024 I received a letter from the pension firm Buck. It said I may be entitled to a payment from Jim's pension with Chubb Security.
![[Berry good: Coach company gave me a refund when my travel plans changed (Image: Geof Shepard/Creative Commons)]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/18/17/93269883-14202689-Berry_good_Coach_company_gave_me_a_refund_when_my_travel_plans_c-a-19_1734541322949.jpg)
I wasn't aware he had a pension from his time at Chubb, which was back in the 1980s and before we met. I don't think he knew he did either. I have no idea of its value. I sent the requested documents, including the death and marriage certificates, to Buck in mid-January 2024, and these were returned swiftly with a compliments slip.
But ten months later, I have not heard anything from Buck - which has since been acquired by another pensions firm, Gallagher - about the status of the pension payment. I phoned Gallagher in May, June and July, only to be told it is in the hands of the Chubb trustees.
Why is this taking so long? Even if I'm not entitled to anything, I would like to know so I can draw a line under it. S.O, Wigan. Unexpected: This reader received a letter from a tracing company 11 years after her husband died, and learned that he had a forgotten pension she may be entitled to.
Helen Crane, This is Money's consumer champion, replies: You thought you had sorted out your late husband's affairs a decade ago, and I am sure it was difficult to dig out documents such as his death certificate again after all these years. Old workplace pensions have a habit of being forgotten, especially those which were accrued many years ago when workers weren't automatically enrolled.
