After a spouse dies, money comes in fastest when the claims go in a set order: death certificates first, then the life insurance claim, then EPF with its pension and EDLI insurance, then the bank and mutual fund accounts. Each claim needs the death certificate, the claimant's ID and bank details; an account with no nominee also needs proof of the legal heirs. Usha's case gives each claim's papers and payout deadline.

What comes first after a spouse dies?

The death certificate. Under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, as amended from 1 October 2023, the local registrar issues it free, within seven days of the death being registered; further copies cost a small fee. Each claim keeps one, so a copy per claim plus two spares saves a second trip.

Usha's case: the term claim and EPF with EDLI

Usha, 42, earns ₹18 lakh CTC. Her husband died in July 2026 at 44, still employed. He left a ₹1.5 crore term plan naming her, ₹32 lakh in EPF with her as e-nominee, two savings accounts and two mutual fund folios; one account and one folio named nobody. They have two children, 14 and 10.

The term death claim goes in first: the claim form, death certificate, policy number, her ID and bank details, and the discharge summary if he died in hospital (after an accident, the FIR and post-mortem report). IRDAI's 2024 master circular gives the insurer 15 days from the claim intimation, or 45 days if the claim needs investigation, more likely for a death within three years of the policy starting. A late insurer adds interest at the bank rate plus 2% from the date of intimation, without being asked.

One composite death claim form, which replaced Forms 20, 10D and 5IF in 2017, covers the PF balance, family pension and EDLI.

He had worked continuously for the 12 months before the month of his death, so the EDLI Scheme, 2026 pays 35 times his average monthly wage, capped at the wage ceiling, plus half his average PF balance up to ₹1,75,000, between ₹2,50,000 and ₹7,00,000. The ceiling was ₹15,000 then (₹25,000 from 17 September 2026), so 35 x ₹15,000 = ₹5,25,000. Half his average balance, about ₹15 lakh, is over ₹1,75,000, so ₹5,25,000 + ₹1,75,000 = ₹7,00,000, the cap. With his ₹32 lakh, the claim brings ₹39 lakh.

He joined EPF before September 2014, so the Employees' Pension Scheme, 2026 adds a widow's pension of at least ₹1,000 a month, and a quarter of it for each child until 25, up to two at a time. Someone who first joined EPF on or after 1 September 2014 on wages above ₹15,000 is outside EPS, so the claim pays only the PF balance and EDLI, unless still paid ₹25,000 or less on 17 September 2026 (EPF guide). EPFO must settle a complete claim within 20 days.

What do the bank accounts and mutual funds need?

An account or FD held jointly with Usha as "either or survivor", or a joint folio, passes to her: a bank needs its claim form, the death certificate and her ID, a fund house only the death certificate. For accounts in his sole name, a bank account death claim or the transmission of mutual funds to a nominee needs few papers, under the RBI's deceased-claims directions and SEBI's July 2026 rules.

Claim Papers Pays within, once papers are complete
Savings account A, nominee Usha Claim form, death certificate, her ID 15 days
Savings account B, ₹6,40,000 at a commercial bank, no nominee Proof of the heirs: simplified route, under ₹15 lakh 15 days
Folio 1, nominee Usha Transmission request form, death certificate, account statement 21 days
Folio 2, ₹14,00,000, no nominee Proof of the heirs: over ₹10 lakh, so a legal heir certificate with an indemnity and all heirs' affidavit-cum-NOC, or a succession certificate alone 21 days

The simplified route applies only where there is no will and no dispute, and its limit is ₹5 lakh at a co-operative bank unless the bank sets a higher one. Usha applies for the legal heir certificate alongside the term claim, since Folio 2 waits on it. Claiming with no nominee lists the papers for each route.

Who files his income tax return for the year of death?

Usha, as his legal representative, registered on the tax e-filing portal, files his return for tax year 2026-27. Section 302 of the Income-tax Act, 2025 (section 159 of the 1961 Act) limits her liability for his tax to what his estate can meet, unless she spends or gives away his assets before his tax is settled. Form 26AS vs AIS shows where tax already deducted appears.

What changes in the surviving spouse's own plan?

Her own nominations still name her husband, so they change first: EPF, term plan, bank accounts (up to four nominees since November 2025) and folios (up to three since September 2026); nominee vs legal heir explains what each does.

As the only earner, she tests her term cover against the 15 years until the younger child turns 25 (is ₹1 crore term insurance enough shows how). For an only earner with dependants, the emergency fund guide puts the fund at nine to twelve months of essential expenses.

Dhi keeps Usha's cash flow, protection, net worth and goals in one picture, so a cover gap left from the two-income years shows up. Dhi answers her questions from her own numbers and nudges when something needs attention.

Frequently asked questions

Not from her own money, unless she is a co-borrower or guarantor on the loan. Lenders recover his debts from his estate, and a legal heir answers only up to the value of what came to her from him (section 52 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908). A home loan with a linked loan cover policy is paid off by that insurer, up to the cover amount, so the lender and that insurer are told early.
Under section 45 of the Insurance Act, 1938, once three years have passed from the later of the policy's issue, the start of risk, its revival or the addition of a rider, the insurer cannot question it on any ground. Within three years it can reject only for fraud or a material misstatement, with the reasons in writing. A rejected claim goes first to the insurer's grievance officer; the Insurance Ombudsman hears claims up to ₹50 lakh, and a larger one, such as ₹1.5 crore, goes to a consumer commission.
Yes. The employer pays unpaid salary and leave encashment as its policy allows, and gratuity, which on death is due even before five years of service under section 53 of the Code on Social Security, 2020, where the employer has ten or more staff. Many employers also carry group life cover, claimed through HR along with the EPF claim.

This is general information for salaried individuals in India, not personalised financial advice.