DWP confirms state pension inheritance rules after spouse or loved one dies
State pensioners are being urged to check rules around inheritance.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has laid out rules for inheritance after a loved one dies. The scheme applies to more than 13 million older people across the UK, including 1.1 million in Scotland.
A total of five million people claimed the New State Pension, while the majority of overall claimants receive the Basic State Pension, depending on their date of birth. But what happens when a loved one dies? Here’s what you need to know.
Payments
When someone dies, their payments will not automatically stop, so steps must be taken. Firstly, you need to speak to the Pension Service on 0800 731 0469 to stop payments.
There is a possibility that you could be entitled to extra payments from a deceased loved one’s State Pension, but this depends on factors including their National Insurance contributions.
Inheritance
If a loved one reached State Pension age before April 6, 2016, then the Government says the claimant should contact the pension service to check what is available. If they reached State Pension age on or after April 6, 2016, or were under State Pension age when their spouse or civil partner died, the UK Government website has a tool that allows users to check what inheritance they may be entitled to.
Those who are single or divorced, or who have had their civil partnership dissolved, may be able to claim part of a Basic State Pension.
A person may be able to inherit extra payment on top of their New State Pension if they are widowed. However, if a person remarries or forms a new partnership before reaching State Pension Age, they cannot inherit anything.
If a marriage or civil partnership began before April 6, 2016, and either a) the deceased partner reached State Pension age before April 6, 2016, or they died before April 6, 2016, but would have reached State Pension age on or after that date, a spouse may inherit part of their partner’s Additional State Pension.
If a person’s partner died while deferring their State Pension or had started claiming it after deferring, they reached State Pension age before April 6, 2016, or they were married, or in a civil partnership when they died, this person may inherit part of their State Pension or lump sum.
Pension rates for 2026-2027
Full New State Pension:
- Weekly £241.40
- Four-weekly pay period £965.20
- Annual amount: £12,547
Full Basic State Pension:
- Weekly £184.90
- Four-weekly pay period £739.60
- Annual amount £9,614
