State pension rules when your partner dies – you can inherit payments

12.7 million people in the UK currently receive a state pension, worth up to £221.20 each week for anyone aged 66 or over. When a person dies, claiming the state pension does not automatically stop; certain procedures must be followed.

People are reminded that it is essential that you inform the Pension Service to stop payments, which can be done by calling their helpline on 0800 731 0469. You may be eligible for additional payments from your spouse’s or partner’s state pension deceased civilian, depending on the national insurance contributions and the time when they reached state pension age.

If you have not yet reached state pension age, death benefits may also be available. If your spouse or civil partner reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016, the GOV.UK website recommends contacting the Pensions Service after their death to explore potential claims.

If you are not already receiving the full amount, you may be able to increase your basic state pension using the deceased’s qualifying years. On the UK Government website, there is a tool called ‘Your Partner’s National Insurance and State Pension Record’ which can help you work out what you may be entitled to inherit. This applies if you or your spouse or civil partner reached state pension age on or after 6 April 2016, or if you died while you were below state pension age.

For people who are unmarried, divorced or have had their civil partner dissolved, their estate can claim part of the basic state pension. If someone dies after reaching state pension age without claiming the state pension, the estate can claim up to three months of the basic state pension.

Choosing to defer State Pension payments can increase payments when they are eventually claimed by around £600 a year for those who choose to continue working after reaching State Pension age. According to GOV. In the UK, anyone who has increased their State Pension may have some or all of the amount inherited by their spouse or civil partner.

An additional payment on top of the new state pension can be inherited by a person if they are widowed. However, nothing can be inherited if they remarry or form a new civil partnership before reaching state pension age. If a marriage or civil partnership began before 6 April 2016 and one of the following conditions applies, then a person can inherit part of their deceased partner’s supplementary state pension.

If a person’s marriage or civil partnership with their partner began before 6 April 2016 and State Pension age is on or after 6 April 2016 or died on or after 6 April 2016, they will inherit half of the protected value of the partner. the payment. This payment will be made with the state pension.

If your partner has unfortunately passed away, you may be eligible to inherit some or all of your additional state pension or lump sum. This applies if they deferred their state pension or started claiming it after deferral, reached state pension age before 6 April 2016 and were either married or in a civil partnership when they died.

You can find out how much you could get by checking your state pension on GOV. UK site.