Does Royal London Require Probate? Threshold and Bereavement Guide

Does Royal London require probate?

1Royal London investment bonds have a probate threshold of approximately £36,000; below this, funds can be released without probate.
2Royal London pension death benefits bypass probate entirely and are paid to nominated beneficiaries at the trustees' discretion.
3Required documents include a certified death certificate, completed bereavement form, and (above the threshold) a grant of probate.
4Royal London does not participate in the Death Notification Service; contact their bereavement team directly on 0345 602 1089.
5Fund release for investment bonds typically takes 4–8 weeks after all documents are received.

Royal London applies a threshold of approximately £36,000 for investment bonds and life insurance policies not written in trust. Below this, probate is generally not required. Above £36,000, a grant of probate or letters of administration is needed. Pension death benefits bypass probate in all cases. Contact Royal London's bereavement team on 0345 602 1089 to confirm the specific position.

Have more questions on UK death administration? Let Farra help.

Talk to Farra →

What Is Royal London's Probate Threshold?

Royal London is the UK's largest mutual insurer and a major provider of pensions, life insurance, and investment bonds. As of 2026, the probate threshold for Royal London investment bonds is approximately £36,000.

Product-specific rules:

Investment bonds: Approximately £36,000 threshold. Above this, a grant of probate is required.
Pensions (workplace, personal, group): No probate required — death benefits are paid at trustee discretion.
Life insurance (written in trust): Bypasses the estate — no probate required.
Life insurance (not in trust): Forms part of the estate; the £36,000 threshold applies.

For a comparison of thresholds across all major UK providers, see our probate threshold guide for 2026–27.

What Documents Does Royal London Require?

Certified death certificate — from the Register Office; one copy per institution.
Royal London bereavement notification form — from their website or bereavement pack.
Policy or scheme reference — from correspondence or policy schedule.
Your identification — photo ID and proof of address.
For bonds above £36,000: Grant of probate or letters of administration — see what documents are needed for probate.

Our estate administration checklist helps you track all documents needed across multiple institutions.

How to Contact Royal London's Bereavement Team

Telephone: 0345 602 1089 (Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm)
Online: royallondon.com/existing-customers/bereavement
Post: Royal London, 55 Gracechurch Street, London, EC3V 0RL

Contacting Royal London is one of the steps in notifying financial institutions after a death. The bereavement team will send you a pack with all necessary claim forms.

Does Royal London Use the Death Notification Service?

Royal London does not currently participate in the Death Notification Service (DNS). You must contact Royal London directly. The DNS primarily covers high-street banks and building societies; insurers and pension providers maintain separate bereavement processes.

Does Royal London Participate in the Direct Payment Scheme?

Royal London does not participate in the Direct Payment Scheme (DPS). If inheritance tax is due on the estate, you will need alternative funding to pay HMRC before probate can be granted. Our guide on probate delays and IHT interest explains the practical steps to manage this.

How Long Does Royal London Take to Release Funds?

For investment bonds below the £36,000 threshold, Royal London typically releases funds within 4–6 weeks of receiving all documents. For larger estates requiring probate, add 8–12 weeks for the grant of probate plus 4–8 weeks for Royal London to process the release.

See the complete UK probate guide for 2026 for a full timeline from death to distribution.

Pensions vs Investments: Different Rules Apply

Royal London pension death benefits — from workplace pensions, personal pensions, and group schemes — are held under trust arrangements and bypass the estate entirely. The trustees exercise discretion to pay the death benefit to nominated beneficiaries, typically within 4–8 weeks of a complete claim submission.

As the UK's largest mutual insurer, Royal London is known for a responsive bereavement service. Investment bonds and non-trust life policies form part of the estate and are subject to the £36,000 threshold. For guidance on pension death benefits specifically, see our pension death benefit guide. For help deciding on your administration approach, see our DIY probate versus solicitor cost guide.

Related Guides