If one’s spouse or civil partner dies or has died, it may be possible to inherit or increase state pension as a result. What can be claimed depends on the state pension ages of the couple as well as the date of their marriage or civil partnership.
One factor at play will be whether one’s state pension is based on the old or new rules.
If someone or their partner reached state pension age before April 6, 2016, state pension is based on the old rules.
To have reached state pension age before April 6, 2016, a person must have been born before April 6, 1953.
There are two parts to the old state pension – the basic state pension and the additional state pension.
Each part works in a slightly different way, and entitlement may have been built up under just the basic state pension or under the additional state pension as well.
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In 2021/22, one could be able to increase their basic state pension up to £137.60 a week if they meet the following criteria:
One’s own basic state pension is less than £137.60 a week
One’s late spouse or civil partner had enough National Insurance contributions.
There is also the possibility that one could be entitled to some Additional State Pension if their spouse or civil partner dies.
This is based on the National Insurance record of their partner.
The GOV.UK website has information on how much Additional State Pension can be inherited.
If one’s partner had reached state pension age before April 6, 2016 and had deferred their state pension, it may be possible to inherit part or all the extra state pension they had amassed.
Just like the old rules, those reaching state pension age on or after April 6, 2016 may be able to inherit or increase their state pension if their spouse or civil partner has died.
However, also following the old rules, one will not be entitled to this if they remarry or enter a civil partnership before reaching state pension age.
It may be possible to inherit up to half of one’s partner’s Additional State Pension or protected payment if one was married to them prior to April 6, 2016.Protected payments usually account for any Additional State Pension accumulated which was not paid out under the new state pension rules.
If one was married or in a civil partnership and one’s partner had reached state pension aged before April 6, 2016, and had deferred their state pension, it may be possible for one to inherit part or all the extra state pension they had built up.
However, there is no inheritance of any extra state pension that one’s spouse or civil partner had been receiving or built up if they reached state pension after April 6, 2016 and had deferred.
If a couple reached state pension age on or after April 6, 2016, they will both claim the ‘new’ state pension.
One’s State Pension will normally be based solely on their own National Insurance contributions.
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