Consumers unaware of bereavement benefits

Eight out of 10 people are not aware that if someone dies having paid national insurance contributions, then a spouse may be entitled to receive a one-off tax free lump sum of £2,000.

YouGov and RGA’s poll showed 85 per cent of people were not aware that if someone dies having paid national insurance contributions, then a spouse may be entitled to receive a taxable weekly benefit for up to one-year from the date of their death.

Simon Grant, claims manager for RGA, said: “These figures confirm our initial fears that these benefits are simply unknown to most members of the general public.

“The death of a spouse is a life changing event with major emotional, practical and financial consequences. We will continue to work with our clients to advise customers of the existence of these potential benefits as part of the insurance death claim process.”