National Insurance Numbers

HC Deb 15 March 2001 vol 364 c714W

Mr. Field

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security on what grounds the deceased retain national insurance number. [153785]

Mr. Rooker

The retention of deceased persons' National Insurance Numbers (N1NOs) is necessary to process claims fcr Widow's Benefit and from 9 April 2001 for Bereavement Benefit claims. Additionally records of the deceased must be kept in order to protect the inheritable rights of the surviving spouse to ensure that they are awarded the correct rate of Retirement Pension when they reach State Pension age or the rate of Retirement Pension which the survivor already receives is increased correctly. The retention is therefore necessary to protect the rights of those making National Insurance contributions.

Retaining NINOs also enables checks to be made for benefit recovery against estates and assists the prevention of a further NINO being fraudulently created under the deceased's identity.