Farra is a death administration assistant for UK families. Get step-by-step guidance for registering a death, applying for probate, notifying banks, and managing bereavement admin. From essential documents to practical checklists, Farra simplifies estate paperwork and funeral-related tasks so you can focus on what matters.
NS&I (National Savings and Investments) is a government-backed savings organisation that millions of people in the UK use — often without telling their family. After a death, you can contact NS&I directly to find out what was held and start the process of claiming it. This guide walks you through it step by step.
NS&I is the government-backed savings organisation. The most common products are:
Many people hold NS&I accounts without telling anyone. If you are not sure whether your loved one had one, it is worth checking — NS&I offers a free tracing service.
NS&I offers a free tracing service. You can contact them in three ways:
You will need to provide: the deceased's full name, date of birth, last address, and National Insurance number if you have it. NS&I will search all their systems and tell you what accounts were held.
A note on probate thresholds: NS&I can pay out smaller amounts without a grant of probate. The threshold varies by product, so ask NS&I directly when you contact them. For Premium Bonds, the threshold is typically £5,000.
Not sure whether you need probate? Our probate guide explains when it is and is not required.
Premium Bonds have a specific rule that many people do not know: they remain valid and are entered in prize draws for up to 12 months after the date of death. This means your loved one's Premium Bonds could still win prizes after they have died.
Need to know if probate is also required?
1 in 3 applications are sent back. In 2 minutes, we'll tell you whether you need probate and what to do alongside these notifications.
After 12 months (or once probate is granted, whichever comes first), the bonds are cashed in and the money is paid to the estate. You should keep a record of the bond holder number so you can check for prizes during this period. NS&I will write to you when the bonds are due to be cashed.
For a full guide to Premium Bonds specifically, see our Premium Bonds after death guide.
In 2026, NS&I revealed that its systems had failed to find all accounts held by some deceased customers. When families made bereavement claims, they received some — but not all — of the money owed.
Around 34,000 estates are affected, with approximately £367 million outstanding. NS&I is contacting affected families directly. If you made an NS&I bereavement claim in the last few years and want to check whether you were underpaid, call NS&I on 0800 092 1286.
Any money returned under this scheme is exempt from inheritance tax. For the full story on this issue, see our NS&I missing savings guide.
| Situation | Typical timeframe |
|---|---|
| Straightforward claim (no probate needed) | 4–6 weeks |
| Claim requiring probate | Longer — you must wait for the grant first (several months in England and Wales) |
| Missing savings repayments (2026 scheme) | NS&I expects to complete by mid-2027 |
Probate currently takes several months in England and Wales. For current waiting times, see our probate waiting times guide.
For guidance on ordering death certificates, see our death certificate copies guide.
Not always. NS&I can pay out smaller amounts without a grant of probate. The threshold varies by product — call NS&I on 0800 092 1286 and they will tell you what is needed for your specific situation.
Premium Bonds remain valid and are entered in monthly prize draws for up to 12 months after death. After that (or once probate is granted), they are cashed in and paid to the estate.
Typically 4–6 weeks once NS&I has all the documents it needs. If you need probate first, the overall process will take longer.
Yes. NS&I offers a free tracing service — just give them the deceased's name, date of birth and last address and they will search all their records.
Yes, NS&I savings count as part of the taxable estate. However, money returned as part of NS&I's 2026 missing savings compensation is specifically exempt from inheritance tax.
Ask for written confirmation. Also check old bank statements or paperwork — people often have a Premium Bonds holder number on letters from NS&I. You may also find reference to NS&I on old tax returns or bank statements.
1 in 3 probate applications are sent back — usually because executors didn't know what they didn't know.
Answer 5 questions in under 2 minutes. We'll tell you whether probate is needed for this estate and, if so, exactly what to do — so nothing gets missed.
Free to check · 2 minutes · No account needed · £179 for your full probate pack