A widow recently found out that she did not qualify for an inheritance from her deceased husband’s state pension because of his age at the time of his passing. This situation has brought attention to the intricate details surrounding state pension inheritance. It is being recommended that individuals who lose their spouses before reaching 66 should check to ensure they are not forfeiting any state pension benefits they might be eligible to inherit.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) informed a widow that she could only receive a state pension based on her own contributions and not her late husband’s due to his age at the moment of death. Yet, this information may not be entirely correct. Britons can potentially receive an additional payment on top of their new state pension if their spouse passes away before claiming their own pension benefits.
Following her husband’s death, a woman reached out to the local Job Centre and pension service to ask about her pension contributions and the necessary qualifying years to obtain the full state pension amount upon retirement. Steve Webb, a pensions expert and partner at Lane, Clark & Peacock (LCP), noted that the DWP has been sharing misleading information. Widows and widowers who were informed they could not inherit a segment of their deceased spouse’s pension might be overlooking additional state pension savings.
The widow recounted her experience: “I sought a quote from the DWP and was informed by the Job Centre that I would not receive any pension from my husband’s contributions. Subsequently, a widow’s pension adviser informed me that since my husband had not claimed his pension prior to his passing, I could not claim any of his contributions.
Widow challenges pension inheritance regulations
I believe I should receive more based on his contributions.”
Webb elucidated the laws regarding the inheritance of a partner’s state pension, urging more individuals to verify their eligibility. Britons may inherit a state pension from their deceased spouse if National Insurance contributions were made. This benefit can be claimed as soon as the surviving spouse reaches state pension age, without the necessity of waiting for their late spouse’s pension age.
Under the current state pension framework, which was implemented after 2016, the inheritance rules are more stringent than in the prior system. Widows can also inherit a state pension if they do not qualify for a full pension based on their own contributions. Nonetheless, if they remarry or enter a new civil partnership before reaching state pension age, they lose any rights to inherit a portion of their late spouse’s pension.
Eligibility for extra payments relies on National Insurance contributions and when the deceased spouse reached state pension age. If a spouse or civil partner dies before the surviving partner reaches state pension age, they may still be eligible for Bereavement benefits. Additionally, Britons can inherit extra state pension if they were married or in a civil partnership prior to April 6, 2016, under certain conditions.
A DWP spokesperson stated: “We strive to ensure that pensioners receive all the support they are entitled to and offer resources to assist them in understanding their state pension inheritance rights. Occasionally, there are delays due to incomplete information being provided. We initially base awards on the individual’s National Insurance record and make adjustments once we receive the necessary documentation.”
Individuals are encouraged to seek free advice from the Pension Service to gather more information and assess their eligibility.
