Death and illness
What happens to my account if I become seriously ill?
If you become ill, there will be no automatic change to your account but you may want to rethink the way you have your pots arranged. Depending on the circumstances, you may need to seek guidance to help you decide what if any, actions you should take. If you have concerns about what will happen if your decision making ability becomes impaired as a result of illness, you may want to think about what options are available for you to make someone else responsible for your finances.
Who will receive the money in my account when I die?
The trustees will take your wishes into account when deciding who receives your savings when you die, however it is at their discretion who receives the money. You should let the trustees know your wishes by completing an expression of wish form and keeping it up to date if your circumstances change. We'll ask you to complete an expression of wish when you join Smart Retire, and you can update it at any time in your account.
For more information on what happens to your pension when you die and the tax implications for beneficiaries, take a look at our Tax in retirement FAQS or www.pensionwise.gov.uk/en/when-you-die.
What happens to my account when I die?
If there is money remaining in any of your pots when you die, all scheduled payments will be cancelled and the money will be retained in the existing pots and associated investment funds. No further instruction will be accepted from any party to make withdrawal or switch money between pots.
The balance of all money in your account will be paid to your beneficiaries at the trustees' discretion.
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