What Happens to Premium Bonds After Someone Dies?
If a Premium Bonds holder has died, contact NS&I through its official bereavement route and follow the current instructions for the estate. The evidence, eligibility rules and timescales can change, so check the official page before acting. Do not send private account identifiers to this site. We cannot determine who may administer an estate or provide probate advice.
Premium Bonds and the 12-month draw period
NS&I says Premium Bonds cannot be transferred directly into another person’s name and must be repaid. The estate may instead leave them eligible for prize draws in the existing holder’s name for up to 12 months after the date of death. Any prize still belongs to the estate and must be handled through the official claim process.
Information to have ready
- The deceased customer’s full name, address, date of birth, date and place of death.
- Previous names and addresses, spouse name if applicable, and the types of NS&I accounts held.
- Executor or administrator details where applicable, the claimant’s details and bank details for repayment.
Which situation applies?
| Situation | Next step |
|---|---|
| You are the executor or administrator | Follow the official estate instructions and prepare the evidence NS&I requests. |
| Probate is still in progress | NS&I will say whether it needs a Grant of Representation after receiving the claim. It may ask for one where total NS&I savings are £5,000 or more, and reserves the right to request one for any value. |
| You found old Bonds later | Use the bereavement route and explain what records are available rather than entering another person’s identifiers here. |
Steps
- Read the current NS&I bereavement guidance.
- Make the claim through NS&I’s online or postal route.
- Send further evidence only if NS&I requests it, and keep a record of correspondence.
Current response time
At the review date shown below, NS&I said its current response time for a bereavement enquiry was eight weeks. This can change, so check the official page before relying on a timescale.
Method and limitations
Method and limitations: This page summarises the official routes and sources listed below. Requirements, rates and timescales can change. It is general information, not financial, legal, tax or probate advice.