How should families protect themselves under the new Bereavement Benefits system?

clock • 3 min read

Richard Walsh discusses the recent changes to Bereavement Benefit and how family income benefit could be a solution.

From April 2017 the Government is changing the rules on bereavement support for new claimants.  Existing ones will carry on under the previous regime. Under the old system there were three benefits. These are now combined into one "bereavement support payment". First there was a lump sum of £2,000 provided that you were under pension age and your spouse, or civil partner, had paid NI contributions on earnings equal to 25 times the lower earnings limit in any one year.  Although if they died as a result of an industrial accident then that was not required. Under the new system a fam...

To continue reading this article...

Join COVER for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, key trend analysis and industry insights.
  • Stay on top of the latest developments around health and wellbeing, diversity and inclusion and the cost of living crisis.
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletter.
  • Members only access to monthly programme 'The COVER Review'
  • Be the first to hear about our CPD accredited events and awards programmes.

Join now

 

Already a Cover member?

Login

More on Individual Protection

Updated: MetLife UK pays out £34m in 2025

Updated: MetLife UK pays out £34m in 2025

31,000 claims paid

Cameron Roberts
clock 20 January 2026 • 2 min read
The COVER Review: Claims, BIBA updates and 2026 predictions

The COVER Review: Claims, BIBA updates and 2026 predictions

Week commencing 12 January 2026

COVER
clock 16 January 2026 • 1 min read
Business Protection Focus Week 2026 launched

Business Protection Focus Week 2026 launched

23-27 February

Cameron Roberts
clock 16 January 2026 • 2 min read