What is a Letter of Wishes?
A “Letter of Wishes” refers to a document which sets out your preferences regarding arrangements following your death.
There is no one specific format but it should be clear, signed and dated. Below is a letter suitable for Group Life Assurance (Death-in-Service) clients in Ireland. This is not legally binding but provides your employer with guidance and can speed the process of payment.
Who needs to fill one in and why?
Group schemes often include additional valuable protections. One of these is Group Life Assurance, or (Death-in-Service).
- This provides a tax-free lump sum to your loved ones if you die while working for your employer.
- It offers financial assistance at a very difficult time.
If you have Group Life Assurance, or (Death-in-Service), you should complete a suitable Letter of Wishes to instruct your employer who to pay benefits to. Otherwise they will be paid in line with Will or probate, which can take longer.
How to complete a letter of wishes in Ireland
- Fill in the form below.
- Once completed, send it to your Human Resources department.
- It is your responsibility to ensure that any alteration in your wishes is made known to the scheme trustees. You can do this by submitting a further Letter of Wishes Form to your Human Resources department.
- Copy and paste from below this point.
