Notify pension providers

Some employers offer pensions, which pay retired employees money during retirement. Depending on the pension and the employer, the benefits might end when the recipient dies, with no further money to be paid. For others, the benefit payments end at death but a final lump sum of money might be owed.

As with life insurance, pensions are generally considered non-probate assets. This means if there is money to be distributed, it will not be distributed to you as executor, but instead will be distributed to the beneficiaries listed in the pension documentation. If you have questions about whether any pension assets should be distributed according to pension documentation or according to the will, consult the estate’s attorney.