Fate of State Pensions in the Event of Death
When you die, your surviving spouse, partner or family may be entitled to some of your State Pension benefits.
1. Basic State Pension
Your basic State Pension is paid only to you, and can't be passed on to anyone else when you die.
2. Additional State Pension
If you have contributed towards an Additional State Pension - also known as the State Second Pension or State Earnings-Related Pension Scheme (SERPS) - then your spouse or civil partner can inherit some of this additional pension. The amount they receive depends on when you were born:
If You are a Man
| Your Date of Birth | Additional State Pension Payable to Spouse/Partner |
|---|---|
| On or before 5 October 1937 | 100% |
| Between 6 October 1937 and 5 October 1945 |
60-90% (depending on your exact date of birth) |
| On or after 6 October 1945 | 50% |
If You are a Woman
| Your Date of Birth | Additional State Pension Payable to Spouse/Partner |
|---|---|
| On or before 5 October 1942 | 100% |
| Between 6 October 1942 and 5 October 5 July 1950 |
60-90% (depending on your exact date of birth) |
| On or after 6 July 1950 | 50% |
3. Extra State Pension
If you chose to defer your State Pension, your widow, widower or surviving civil partner may be entitled to your Extra State Pension.
If You Die Before You Start To Claim Your Deferred Pension...
...your extra State Pension may be added to your spouse's or civil partner's State Pension. A woman can benefit from her late husband's or civil partner's deferred State Pension when she reaches State Pension age, as long as she hasn't re-married or registered again as a civil partner. However, under current rules, a man can't receive his late wife's or civil partner's deferred State Pension unless he himself is over State Pension age when she dies. This will change from 6 April 2010, where the rules for men will be brought into line with those for women.
If You Die After You Start To Claim Your Deferred Pension...
...your spouse's or civil partner's own State Pension payments will be increased. For any basic State Pension you've deferred, your spouse or civil partner will be entitled to the same amount as you would have received.
If you chose a lump-sum payment rather than the Extra State Pension, any amount you still have left will form part of your estate.
If You Have No Spouse or Civil Partner...
... the State Pension you deferred become part of your estate, and your next of kin can claim an amount equal to the first 3 months of Extra State Pension payments.
