Additional Pension Payment

 

Under certain circumstances, in the UK a surviving spouse (or widower) can get extra pension payments after their partner dies. But whether and how this works depends a number of factors: when your spouse reached pension age or died, what pension entitlement they had, and when you claim. 

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How “extra pension” after a spouse’s death can work in the UK

 

The possibility of receiving more pension after the death of a spouse depends on three things (broadly):

• Whether the deceased spouse had built up what’s called “Additional State Pension” (or an older pension entitlement under the pre-2016 system) 

• The dates involved: when your spouse reached State Pension age or died, and when you (as surviving spouse) reach State Pension age. 

• That you were married (or in a civil partnership) at the time of her death) — and that you do not remarry (if certain rules apply) before reaching State Pension age. 

 

What you might inherit

• Under the pre-2016 pension scheme, a surviving spouse could inherit up to 50% of their partner’s “Additional State Pension” (sometimes called State Second Pension / SERPS) — provided the marriage began before 6 April 2016. 

• If the deceased had deferred their State Pension (i.e. delayed claiming), or had certain “protected payments,” you may also inherit part or all of those deferred or protected payments. 

• This inherited pension (or extra amount) is paid on top of your own State Pension, once you reach pension age (or as defined by the rules) — i.e. you don’t lose your own pension. ​

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What changed under “New State Pension” (from April 2016 onward)

• Since 6 April 2016, the UK moved to the “New State Pension” system for people reaching pension age from that date onward. Under that system, inheritance of a spouse’s pension is much more limited. 

• That means many of the old entitlements to inherit “Additional State Pension” have been phased out — unless the marriage and pension-age dates fall into the “transitional protection” rules. 

• In short: if your wife reached pension age, or died, before 2016 — the chances are higher you may inherit some extra pension. If the opposite, inheritance is less likely. 

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Because each case depends on dates and the deceased’s pension record, you’ll need:

• The date when your spouse reached (or would have reached) State Pension age — or their date of death.

• Confirmation of their National Insurance record / how much “Additional State Pension” they had built up (or if they deferred the pension).

• When you claim your own State Pension — and whether you reached pension age before or after 6 April 2016 (less likely for you, given your age).

• Whether your marriage existed before 6 April 2016 ​

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What to do to find out — and perhaps claim

1. Contact the UK Pension Service — inform them that your spouse has died and ask whether you are entitled to inherit any “additional pension” from them. 

2. Ask for a pension entitlement check (sometimes called “Bereavement – inherited pension check”). They will look up her contributions and pension history.

3. If entitled, the extra pension will be paid along with your own State Pension, once you reach the relevant pension-age (or as per rules).