Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will have discussions with The Pensions Regulator on ensuring that death in service benefits are paid expediently to beneficiaries.

Where pension schemes offer a death in service benefit, I completely understand how important it will be for beneficiaries that they are paid promptly. The time this takes will vary depending on the circumstances, but of course it should be reasonable. If anyone thinks that a pension scheme is not acting reasonably in the processing of its promised benefits they should contact the scheme, which is required to have an internal disputes resolution process. They may also wish to contact the Pensions Ombudsman who will consider how best they can help.