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NS&I (National Savings and Investments) applies a £5,000 threshold: if the total value of all NS&I holdings is under £5,000, probate is generally not required to release the funds. For estates with more than £5,000 in NS&I products — including Premium Bonds, savings certificates, and income bonds — a grant of probate or letters of administration will be required. Contact NS&I's bereavement team on 08085 007 007 to begin the process.
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NS&I (National Savings and Investments) is a government-backed savings institution offering Premium Bonds, savings certificates, direct ISAs, income bonds, and other products. As of 2026, NS&I applies a combined threshold of £5,000 across all NS&I products held by the deceased.
If the total of all NS&I holdings is under £5,000, NS&I will typically release funds to the next of kin or executor without requiring a grant of probate. You will still need to provide a certified death certificate and evidence of your authority to act (such as being named executor in the will).
For total NS&I holdings over £5,000, a grant of probate or letters of administration is required before any funds can be released. This applies regardless of whether the holdings are spread across multiple products. For context on the overall estate, see our probate threshold guide for 2026–27.
Premium Bonds are one of the most commonly held NS&I products. When the holder dies:
The documents NS&I requires depend on whether the total holdings are above or below the £5,000 threshold. In all cases you will need:
For estates above £5,000 in NS&I holdings, you will additionally need:
Use our estate administration checklist to keep track of all required documents across institutions.
NS&I provides a dedicated bereavement helpline and accepts postal notifications:
NS&I will provide a bereavement pack containing all necessary forms. Contacting NS&I is one of several key steps in notifying financial institutions after a death.
NS&I does not currently participate in the Death Notification Service (DNS). You must contact NS&I directly using the telephone number or postal address above. The DNS is primarily for high-street banks and building societies; NS&I, as a government savings provider, has its own separate bereavement process.
NS&I does not participate in the Direct Payment Scheme (DPS), which some banks use to pay inheritance tax directly to HMRC from the deceased's account before probate. If inheritance tax is due, you will need to arrange payment to HMRC through other means before the grant of probate is issued. Our guide on probate delays and IHT interest explains the implications of late payment.
NS&I typically releases funds within 4–6 weeks of receiving all required documents. For small estates under the £5,000 threshold, the process may be quicker — sometimes 2–3 weeks — as probate is not required.
If probate is required, the overall timeline is longer: add 8–12 weeks to apply for and receive the grant of probate from the Probate Registry. For a full step-by-step timeline, see the complete UK probate guide for 2026.
If the total of all NS&I products is under £5,000, you may be able to reclaim the funds using a simplified small-estate process. This is especially common where the deceased held only a small amount in Premium Bonds. See our broader guide on when you do not need probate for more detail on the small-estate rules across all institutions.
If you are unsure whether to handle the estate yourself or engage a solicitor, our comparison of DIY probate versus solicitor costs sets out the key factors to weigh.
Barclays probate threshold is £50,000 (as of 2026). Find out what documents Barclays requires, how to contact their bereavement team, and how long it takes to release funds.
Lloyds Bank probate threshold is £50,000 (as of 2026). Find out what documents Lloyds requires, how to contact their bereavement team, and how long it takes to release funds.
Halifax probate threshold is £50,000 (as of 2026). Part of Lloyds Banking Group with its own bereavement process. Learn what documents Halifax requires and how long it takes.
NatWest probate threshold is £25,000 (as of 2026) — lower than many high street banks. Find out what documents NatWest requires and how to contact their bereavement team.
HSBC probate threshold is £50,000 for most accounts (as of 2026), with some account types lower. Learn what documents HSBC requires and how to use the Direct Payment Scheme.
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