State pension inheritance rules explained after the death of a spouse or partner

There are currently around 3.4 million people receiving up to £221.20 each week from the New State Pension. Usually paid every four weeks, this equates to £884.80 per pay period.

Basic State Pension payments of up to £169.50 each week are paid to most claimants, reports ManchesterEveningNews online. Payments depend on individuals’ date of birth.

Men born before 6 April 1951 and women born before 6 April 1953 are eligible for the basic state pension. For those born after these dates, they will claim New State Pension payments.

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Knowing what to do when someone dies is a difficult subject that many do not want to consider. but the rules were explained. Here’s an overview of what you need to know

State pension payments after someone dies

It was explained that when someone dies, their state pension claim does not automatically end. As a result, there are a number of necessary steps to follow.

These include notifying the Pension Service to stop payments, which can be done by calling the helpline on 0800 731 0469. Depending on your deceased spouse’s or civil partner’s National Insurance contributions and when they reached State Pension age , you may qualify for additional payments from their state pension.

Death benefits may also be an option for those who have not yet reached state pension age. In terms of inheritance and basic state pension, if your spouse or civil partner reached state pension age before 6 April 2016, GOV. The UK advises that you contact the Pensions Service after a death to establish any claims.

They may increase your basic state pension by using the deceased’s qualifying years if you are not already receiving the full amount.

The Government has explained what happens if you or your deceased spouse or civil partner reached state pension age on or after 6 April 2016, or were below state pension age when they died. Checks can be carried out on the ‘Your partner’s National Insurance Record and State Pension’ tool on the UK Government website to help determine the inheritance you may be entitled to.

For people who are single, divorced or have had their civil partner dissolved, it is possible that their estate will claim part of the basic state pension.

If someone dies after reaching state pension age and the state pension has not been claimed, the estate can claim up to three months of the basic state pension.

Delaying State Pension payments can increase payments when they are eventually claimed by around £600 each year for those who choose to continue working past State Pension age.

Government website, GOV. The UK says that anyone who has increased their state pension can have some or all of the top-up inherited by their spouse or civil partner.

If a person is widowed, an additional payment can be inherited on top of the new state pension. But 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 circumstances applies, then a person can inherit part of their deceased partner’s supplementary state pension.

Half of a partner’s protected pay will be inherited by a person if their marriage or civil partnership began before 6 April 2016 and their State Pension age is on or after 6 April 2016 or if they died on or after 6 April 2016 This payment will be made with the State Pension.

If your partner has died, you may be entitled to inherit some or all of your additional state pension or lump sum. This applies if they were deferring their state pension or started claiming it after deferral, reached state pension age before 6 April 2016 and were married or in a civil partnership at the time of death.

Calculations of how much you could receive can be done by checking the state pension on the government website here

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