Written question asked by Mike Hancock (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 12 April 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 18 April 2006. It was answered by Lord Touhig (Labour) on Thursday, 20 April 2006 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Pensions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to advise relatives of deceased armed services personnel to seek independent legal advice before signing pensions contracts; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Dependants of deceased service personnel do not have to sign a pension contract to receive death benefits from the armed forces pension schemes. The benefits are paid in accordance with the terms of the appropriate pension scheme. The only requirement is for the dependant to confirm they are an eligible beneficiary and to sign a claim form to that effect. The Ministry of Defence already advises in its explanatory armed forces pension booklets that, if individuals require financial or legal advice regarding pension matters, they should seek independent advice.

Secondary information