How to Notify Zurich of a Death: Pension Bereavement Guide 2026

How to notify Zurich of a death — step by step

1. Contact Zurich

   Call 0370 242 7472 or use the online bereavement claims page. Zurich manages workplace pensions, personal pensions, and life insurance products in the UK.

2. Provide the death certificate and policy details

   You will need a certified copy of the death certificate, the policy or plan number from any Zurich correspondence, and your own contact details.

3. Trustees review nominations

   For pension plans, Zurich's trustees will review any nomination of beneficiary or expression of wishes form on file.

4. Supply probate documentation if required

   For larger lump sum claims, probate or letters of administration may be required. Zurich will advise on what is needed.

5. Payment to beneficiaries

   Once all documents are received and verified, Zurich will process the death benefits. This typically takes 4–8 weeks.

What documents does Zurich need?

• Certified copy of the death certificate
• Policy or membership number (on any correspondence)
• Grant of probate or letters of administration (for larger lump sum claims)
• Your name and contact details
• Completed expression of wishes form (if available — found with the deceased's papers)

Have multiple certified copies of the death certificate ready. Banks and financial institutions each require an original or certified copy — you cannot usually pass a single copy between organisations. See our guide to how many death certificates you need.

How long does Zurich take?

Zurich typically takes 4–8 weeks to process a bereavement notification once all required documents have been received.

During this period, accounts or services will typically be frozen until the estate is administered. This means no new transactions can be authorised.

If the deceased had a pension with an expression of wishes or nomination of beneficiary form on file, the pension trustees have discretion to pay outside the estate — meaning it may not go through probate. Contact the pension provider early to check.

What happens after you notify Zurich?

Once Zurich receives your notification and confirms receipt, the account or service will be frozen and no new transactions will be authorised. Estate administration can then begin.

Zurich will confirm receipt of your notification and advise you of any next steps required to close or transfer the account or policy. Keep a record of all correspondence and reference numbers for the estate file.

What cannot wait