Who is entitled to the uncollected pension?

The surviving spouse, children, parents, or in their absence other heirs under common law. Payment is made on application.

Is uncollected pension paid automatically?

No. Payment is not automatic. An application must be filed with the pension house along with the required documents. Without an application, the entitlement does not come into effect.

Do I need a certificate of heirship?

The surviving spouse, children, or parents may collect on the basis of relationship documents. When amounts are claimed by heirs in general, payment is made only on the basis of the certificate of heirship.

Where do I submit the application?

To the territorial pension house (casa teritorială de pensii) that covered the deceased pensioner. For certain categories, sectoral pension houses exist.

What amounts are included in uncollected pension?

The pension for the month in which the death occurred, and any outstanding pension entitlements that were owed but not collected before death.

Is uncollected pension the same as the funeral benefit?

No. The funeral benefit is a one-off payment for funeral expenses; uncollected pension represents pension entitlements left uncollected. They are distinct entitlements.

What happens after the 3-year period?

The right to claim is extinguished. This is why the application should not be delayed — especially when a certificate of heirship must first be obtained.

Multiple heirs — how are the amounts divided?

On the basis of the certificate of heirship, the amounts are due to the heirs in the shares established there, as part of the estate.

Does uncollected pension form part of the estate?

When claimed by heirs in general, yes — the entitlements are included in the estate, and payment is made on the basis of the certificate of heirship.

Is the pension slip mandatory?

It helps the file, but is not always mandatory. The pension house can verify the situation from its own records. Provide it if you have it.

Can I collect if I am the only child?

Yes, under the conditions set by the pension house, on the basis of documents proving kinship. When there are multiple heirs, the certificate of heirship is required.

Is the pension for the month of death paid in full?

Yes — the pension owed for the month in which the death occurred is paid in full, alongside any outstanding entitlements not collected before death.

Do I need to complete probate to collect uncollected pension?

Not always. The surviving spouse, children, or parents can collect on the basis of relationship documents. When heirs in general are claiming, a certificate of heirship is required.

What is the 3-year limitation period?

It is the period within which uncollected amounts may be claimed — 3 years from death. After it, the right is extinguished and the money can no longer be claimed.

Can I claim if I live abroad?

Yes, in person or through a proxy with a power of attorney. The application is submitted to the competent pension house in Romania.

GUIDE · UNCOLLECTED PENSION

Uncollected pension after death: who collects it

The pension for the month in which the death occurred, and any outstanding pension rights the pensioner had not collected before death, are paid to the surviving spouse, children, parents, or other heirs. Payment is not automatic — a request must be filed with the pension house (casa de pensii). When heirs in general are claiming, payment is made on the basis of the certificat de moștenitor (certificate of heirship). The deadline to claim is 3 years from the date of death.

Updated: 22 June 20261,600 wordsReviewed by Andrei

sobru.ro — Romanian funeral services — Illustrative image for the guide above.

What uncollected pension is

The uncollected pension is the sum owed to a pensioner and not collected before death — the pension for the month of death and any outstanding pension entitlements.

This money is not lost. It belongs to the family or heirs, but only on application to the pension house.

The pension slip on the document folder — the key piece of the funeral allowance — Illustrative image: the pension slip and documents for uncollected pension amounts.

Who is entitled

Uncollected pension amounts are paid, in order, to the following persons:

Surviving spouse
Children
Parents
In their absence, other heirs under common law

Uncollected amounts — Romanian National Pension House (CNPP)

With or without a certificate of heirship

The surviving spouse, children, or parents may collect the amounts on the basis of documents proving their relationship to the deceased, under conditions set by the pension house.

When the amounts are claimed by heirs in general, payment is made only on the basis of the certificat de moștenitor (certificate of heirship), with those rights included in the estate.

Documents required

To collect the uncollected pension, the pension house requires a file containing:

Application for uncollected amounts
Death certificate of the pensioner
Identity document of the applicant
Documents proving kinship, or the certificate of heirship
The deceased's pension slip, if available

Where to submit the application

The application is submitted to the territorial pension house (casa teritorială de pensii) that covered the deceased pensioner, which is under the authority of the National Pension House (CNPP).

For certain categories — military, defence structures — sectoral pension houses exist. We refer you to the right institution.

Public institution counter with a glass partition, document tray and call bell — no people — Illustrative image: submitting the application at the pension house.

The 3-year deadline

Uncollected amounts may be claimed within the general limitation period of 3 years, calculated from the date of death or from the date a court ruling declaring the death becomes final.

After this period, the right to claim is extinguished. Do not delay the application — especially when a certificate of heirship must first be obtained.

Uncollected pension versus funeral benefit — not the same

The uncollected pension is different from the ajutorul de deces (funeral benefit). The funeral benefit is a one-off payment to cover funeral expenses; the uncollected pension represents pension entitlements left uncollected.

The family may receive both, as they are distinct entitlements. See also our guide on the funeral allowance.

Step-by-step guide to collecting

To collect uncollected pension, follow these steps:

Check whether you are among those entitled
Determine whether a certificate of heirship is needed
Gather the documents — death certificate, identity document, proof of kinship
Submit the application to the territorial pension house
Collect the amount within the 3-year period from the date of death

Difference from the survivor's pension

The uncollected pension represents money the pensioner left uncollected before death. The pensia de urmaș (survivor's pension) is a new, monthly pension for children and the surviving spouse.

These are different entitlements with different conditions. The family may benefit from both, and we can help with both.

How we help

We tell you what documents are needed, help you prepare the application and submit it to the pension house, and guide you when a certificate of heirship must first be obtained.

We are available day and night. Call us or see our administrative services for a no-obligation conversation.

STEP BY STEP

Steps summary

01
Gather the documents
Application, death certificate, identity document, proof of kinship or certificate of heirship, and the pension slip if available.
02
Obtain the certificate of heirship if needed
When amounts are claimed by heirs in general, payment is made only on the basis of the certificate of heirship.
03
Submit the application to the pension house
To the territorial pension house that covered the pensioner, within 3 years of death.

OFFICIAL SOURCES

Information verified with

https://www.cnpp.ro/en/sume-neincasate-de-catre-pensionarul-decedat

FREQUENT QUESTIONS

What families ask most often

What is uncollected pension?
It is the sum owed to a pensioner and not collected before death — the pension for the month of death and any outstanding pension entitlements. This money belongs to the family or heirs.
Who is entitled to the uncollected pension?
The surviving spouse, children, parents, or in their absence other heirs under common law. Payment is made on application.
Is uncollected pension paid automatically?
No. Payment is not automatic. An application must be filed with the pension house along with the required documents. Without an application, the entitlement does not come into effect.
Do I need a certificate of heirship?
The surviving spouse, children, or parents may collect on the basis of relationship documents. When amounts are claimed by heirs in general, payment is made only on the basis of the certificate of heirship.
What documents are needed?
The application, death certificate, applicant's identity document, documents proving kinship or the certificate of heirship, and the pension slip if available.
How long do I have to claim?
Within the general limitation period of 3 years, calculated from the date of death or from the date a court ruling declaring the death becomes final.
Where do I submit the application?
To the territorial pension house (casa teritorială de pensii) that covered the deceased pensioner. For certain categories, sectoral pension houses exist.
What amounts are included in uncollected pension?
The pension for the month in which the death occurred, and any outstanding pension entitlements that were owed but not collected before death.
Is uncollected pension the same as the funeral benefit?
No. The funeral benefit is a one-off payment for funeral expenses; uncollected pension represents pension entitlements left uncollected. They are distinct entitlements.
What happens after the 3-year period?
The right to claim is extinguished. This is why the application should not be delayed — especially when a certificate of heirship must first be obtained.
Multiple heirs — how are the amounts divided?
On the basis of the certificate of heirship, the amounts are due to the heirs in the shares established there, as part of the estate.
Does uncollected pension form part of the estate?
When claimed by heirs in general, yes — the entitlements are included in the estate, and payment is made on the basis of the certificate of heirship.
Is the pension slip mandatory?
It helps the file, but is not always mandatory. The pension house can verify the situation from its own records. Provide it if you have it.
Can I collect if I am the only child?
Yes, under the conditions set by the pension house, on the basis of documents proving kinship. When there are multiple heirs, the certificate of heirship is required.
Is the pension for the month of death paid in full?
Yes — the pension owed for the month in which the death occurred is paid in full, alongside any outstanding entitlements not collected before death.
Do I need to complete probate to collect uncollected pension?
Not always. The surviving spouse, children, or parents can collect on the basis of relationship documents. When heirs in general are claiming, a certificate of heirship is required.
What is the 3-year limitation period?
It is the period within which uncollected amounts may be claimed — 3 years from death. After it, the right is extinguished and the money can no longer be claimed.
Can I claim if I live abroad?
Yes, in person or through a proxy with a power of attorney. The application is submitted to the competent pension house in Romania.

Related guides

Survivor's pension
Read the guide
Certificate of heirship
Read the guide
Romanian funeral allowance 2026
Read the guide

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