Under paid pension becomes over payment claimed

[22]

My wife's aunt died, she lived overseas with a pension from a UK company.

Pension company lost contact and found my wife through a tracing agency - made contact asking for details of beneficiaries as there has been an underpayment.

Details provided and then an email today saying was actually an over-payment, so please send £3000.

I think they said underpayment otherwise people wouldn't give details - but that seems like an underhand move to me.

Thoughts?

Wife's brother changed the will and beneficiaries two weeks before aunt died, making a previously unknown solicitor executor so imagine the estate is getting chewed up by fees and whatnot. Not life-changing sums at play (but enough to cover the £3000).

[ChrisH72]

My thoughts are that it all sounds very dodgy.

Unused pensions still fall outside of the estate for now so that's not going to be affected by changes in the will. Are you saying the pension company have paid out money to your wife and now want some back?

[22]

All pension payments went to the aunt, although quite likely for a period after she died. With changing citizenship and tax residency, it's proved a nightmare to get resolved between HMRC and an oversees executor.

If the estate has to pay then fine, but the letter is 'please make a transfer'. My wife is one of 3 beneficiaries.

[Nicetobenice]

Your wife certainly doesn't have to pay.

Send it on to the executor, as it's their responsibility.

[SunsetZed]

Nicetobenice said:

Your wife certainly doesn't have to pay.

Send it on to the executor, as it's their responsibility.

Either do this or reply saying sorry I'm not the executor you'll need to contact them.