What Happens To Your Husband's State Pension When He Dies

Trying to understand if you are entitled to your husband’s State Pension when he dies can be very difficult.
The State Pension is very complicated when trying to understand your own position let alone what you are due if you lose your husband.
We are not helped by the fact the State Pension has gone through many changes over the years so working through different periods means you and your husband may have built up different types of benefit which all needs to be accounted for.
Hopefully, this article will help you on your way if you are in the unfortunate position of having recently lost your husband. Or you are a husband and want to get things in order, so it is as easy as possible for your partner to sort everything out after you have gone.
It is worth stating at this point that only a spouse or civil partner can inherit some of the deceased’s State Pension.
A live-in partner cannot, even if you have had children together.
Children also cannot inherit their parent’s State Pension.
The executors of the deceased’s estate may be able to claim up to three months of State Pension payments if the deceased was past State Pension age on death.
Before we start to understand whether you can inherit your husband’s State Pension when he dies it’s worth explaining a bit of background to the State Pension.
There is a key date to be aware of, 6th April 2016. This was the date the new State Pension was introduced.
Before this date there were slightly different qualifying rules to receive the State Pension and you were also able to build up additional State Pension if you were a higher earner. These schemes had names such as:
• SERPS.
• State Second Pension.
There were also periods where you might have ‘contracted out’ and paid less National Insurance in exchange for a credit into your separate workplace pension scheme.
Since the 6th April 2016 the new State Pension has tried to make things simpler and there are no new additional benefits that can be built up. Just a flat pension based on your National Insurance contribution record.
Of course, because many people will have crossed over and built-up benefits before and after 6th April 2016 the old benefits built up need to be protected.
To determine what happens to your husband’s State Pension when he dies it will depend on what your State Pension age is.
If you reached State Pension age before 6th April 2016 then you will be claiming under the old basic State Pension rules.
You may be able to claim a proportion of your husband’s basic State Pension if his pension entitlement is higher than yours. Even if you have no record yourself.
If your husbands basic State Pension entitlement is lower than yours, you won’t be due anything on this element.
If your husband’s State Pension age was after 6th April 2016 then you can only use his National Insurance contribution record up to this date.
You may also be able to claim some of your husband’s additional State Pension built up before 6th April 2016.
If you have yet to receive your State Pension but your husband was receiving his before 6th April 2016 then you will lose any chance to inherit his State Pension if you re-marry or enter a civil partnership before you reach State Pension age.
If your husband was entitled to his State Pension before he died but had deferred it you will likely be entitled to all of the deferred payment providing you were married or in a civil partnership to him before 6th April 2016.
If it was deferred a year or more then you can get a lump sum. If it was deferred for less than a year you will get weekly payments as part of your own State Pension.
You will only receive the money from any inherited State Pension element once you reach your own State Pension age.
If your State Pension age is after 6th April 2016 then you will be claiming under the new State Pension rules.
You cannot use your husband’s National Insurance contribution record to improve your own, but you may still be able to claim some of your husband’s additional State Pension which will now be recorded as a protected payment.
You can also still claim any deferred State Pension which your husband was entitled to but had not claimed yet.
You will not be entitled to anything if you re-marry or enter a new civil partnership before you reach State Pension. Although you will keep any inherited benefits if you re-marry or enter a new civil partnership after your State Pension age.
Unfortunately, the only way to be absolutely clear on what you can inherit from your husband’s State Pension is to contact the Pension Service.
I say unfortunate because feedback I have had is that dealing with the Pension Service can be a slow process.
You can do this via phone or post.
You may also be entitled to other bereavement payments if you have lost a husband.
#statepensionondeath #claimingstatepension #statepension

[@somersetangel]

Why is the state pension called a benefit. We have paid into this all our working life we paid for the right to have a pension if the governments now and in the past has used this money for other things that is not our fault we paid in in good faith. It is a pension not a benifit

[@CarolSperoni]

Agreed, I've been banging on about this for years, it is NOT a benefit we have paid for our pension for years with deductions from our wages/salaries which no doubt many of us could not afford at the time.

[@davidclarke1429]

Pensions are your money via contributions paid in to call it a benefit is derogatory to anyone who has worked ,or is working.😖

[@nickglenister3832]

so you can be Taxed.

[@bertiewooster3326]

You haven't paid more than you are going to take out chum.

[@crispyduck1706]

Trust me within five years Labour will be mar a testing your state pension - you just don’t know how this is gonna end - Starmer will be kicked out within a year and the Corbynites will take over

[@diane.moore-]

I have two pensions. I would much rather have had a Roth 401k throughout my working lifetime. $500/month invested from 25 - 65 at 9% is $2.3mil. I hate my job but can't leave because of I won't get my state pension. What do you think about doing a 70/30 stocks bond ratio?

[@mikegarvey17]

I would avoid the index funds, mutual funds, or specific stocks for the time being. 5% fixed incomes are the safest bet for now. Save your cash for when the market actually shows signs of recovery

[@mariaguerrero08]

At a point like this, when the pressure is already on you to retire, its best recommended you seek the services of an advisor, as this allows you make smarter investing decisions.

[@ThomasChai05]

Generally speaking, a good number of people discredit the effectiveness of financial advisor in planning for retirement, For over the past 5years, I’ve had a financial advisor consistently restructure and diversify my portfolio/expenses and I’ve made over $1million in gains… might not be a lot but retirement doesn’t seem so farfetched anymore.

[@CliveBirse]

@@ThomasChai05Could you possibly recommend a CFA you've consulted with?

[@ThomasChai05]

*Gertrude Margaret Quinto* is the licensed advisor I use. Just search the name. You’d find her webpage and necessary details to work with to set up an appointment.

[@user-nx8ii4ef7f]

As my father used to say, if it becomes over complicated it is becoming illegal or immoral!!

[@carlrobertsifa]

Let government get involved in something and it will rarely be simple!

[@franceshicks4011]

It's not a benefit!

[@CJBradley]

I thought just that but unfortunately it is a benefit and has been for a very long time but didn't bother to tell anyone.!

[@davidlucas6701]

Its not !its money "we" paid into ,but crooked politicians are scheming!

[@freeenergynow]

Interesting fact..... My husband turned 80 in May and got a nice letter from the pension 'service' informing him of his new, age related bonus payment............. 25p per week!! I don't think either of us has ever felt so insulted, ever.

[@lindacleveland1289]

Yep mine too 😮

[@roywinstanley9402]

It's outrageous that the government makes a nice profit out of out of the death of either partner.its morally wrong also

[@bertiewooster3326]

What profit tell me ?

[@ronrichardson3103]

I remember when my wife died i phoned the pension people and asked for her pension .she had paid in for 30 years. . what i recieved wouldnt buy me a burger and fries

[@davidlucas6701]

When my wife died i received 12 monthly payments of about £100,they took the rest!

[@carolekralova9108]

My late husband's State pension favoured me with a GRB of .83p per week: big deal.

[@traciesmobile683]

or inherit your wife's pension if applicable

[@rabhaw2327]

They want to tax your welfare benefit aka state pension if you have worked 35 years and qualify for it, bit if you have never worked and claim welfare benefit amounting to 20 to 80k a year it will not be taxed, both are welfare benefits and both are income but only one is getting taxed this is wrong is it not??

[@guyr7351]

Yes if that’s happening, but as ever good luck in trying to remove or reduce benefits to the unemployed / welfare claimants. Does not which political party tried this the press would whip up a storm about it

[@ianjohnston3929]

Despite having 45 years contributions when I retired in 2017 at aged 62, I discovered tha I didnt get the full State Pension when I was 66 (allowing for adjustment to take account of periods when I was "contracted out". Nowhere in the Gov.UK website does it mention you have to continue paying NI contributions until State Pension Age, regardless of the fact your contribution record is equal to or exceeds the maximum qualifying years.

[@carlrobertsifa]

It’s overly complicated and unfortunately a lot of people have suffered.

[@petersavage4207]

Can you explain ? I’m worried now

[@ianjohnston3929]

@@petersavage4207 . It seems that, if you choose to retire before your state pension age, to ensure you get the full pension you must continue to pay NI contributions up to your state pension age. I only discovered this when I received confirmation of the amount, highlighting the gaps in my NI record from aged 62 to 66. I had the opportunity to pay for the 4 missed years, totalling approx' £4,000 but chose not to as I had fulfilled the requirement for "qualifying" years. DWP had no answer for this and suggested that I appeal but was told "any appeal would likely fail"😔.

[@paulacollins8327]

This is shocking!!

[@ianjohnston3929]

@@carlrobertsifa. I could understand if the Gov.uk website made the position clear but it doesn't - this is what annoys me.

[@JohnMackenzieInverness]

Interesting information

[@carlrobertsifa]

Thanks John. Hopefully helps a little.

[@helencadwallader3796]

I find it unfair I am 71 years old. I am under the old pension rule. people under the new rule get a lot more pension than me. why/

[@carlrobertsifa]

Here is the governments response to that petition.parliament.uk/petitions/632855?reveal_response=yes

[@user-vt5yd4od8m]

I remember the ridiculous days of equality where you couldn’t advertise for a pig man 😂😂😂. Now when it suits the government they can have a grossly unequal pension system 😊

[@lindabridges9483]

Because they had to wait up to 6 years longer for their pensions

[@lsmith992]

Same here, 71 in April but I did get a full pension probably due to having 3 children spread out in years and work before and after and in between. I have the full pension although there was briefly some additional pension due to working when that was possible. Thats disappeared now though. I don't understand anything about it how it all works. I've never done the reduced N I contribution, always the full one.

[@helencadwallader3796]

@@lindabridges9483 I had to wait xtra years for my pension and I do not think it fair that we had to accept the old pension rate whilst others who also waited fell into the new system. It stinks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@eamonnpotts5063]

You’ve paid tax all your life whilst accruing a pension. Then when you’ve qualified for a state pension, you have to pay more tax over a certain amount if added to your personal pension! What a load of bollox!

[@BillyBanter100]

The State Pension is an investment on the part of the individual, it is not a benefit. A benefit can be withdrawn. Is this why the government label it a benefit. The pension system should have been organised like a private pension but sadly politicians are ignorant of the financial world and how it works.

[@roytetwart]

Clear as mud!

[@davidk3729]

The state pension is included in the billions shown in government Welfare Benefits. Your NI contributions disappear into Treasury income, there is no pension fund. This irritates young people whose taxes pay for old folks pensions and annoys old people to see them described as Welfare Benefit Recipients. Gordon Brown (recently elevated to some medieval high office) sold off British gold reserves to the Chinese at the bottom of the market, then taxed dividends on private pension funds. Stuffed any decent increase in my work pension. At least Tony Blair is still around to save us as the ‘Middle East Peace Envoy.’ Hallelujah.

[@MevRB19]

Because he doesn't understand.

[@percival74898]

Can they possibly pull the wool further over our eyes????

[@carlrobertsifa]

They don’t make it easy. Too many years of too many pension changes.

[@user-xb4le4og8e]

Old pension,new pensions,new new pensions ,new new new pensions,and so on

[@p_sg3449]

The state pension is a "!very expensive benefit" except for the fact the it's much better in 15 other European countries including R of Ireland. Presumably they'll lose their state pension service before we do? Not a chance, the Uk will be the first to ditch it.

[@englishterry8084]

It is not a benefit 😡😡😡

[@lsmith992]

​@@englishterry8084 But it is being called that in places, it looks like it is becoming means tested in the future, which is abominable when we have paid towards it for decades.

[@englishterry8084]

@@lsmith992 Certain politicians and some of the corrupt media started calling it a benefit , we worked for what we receive unlike those that have contributed sfa and will still get it … If labour get into power they may remove free bus passes for pensioners as talked about by starmer …..

[@johnmulligan912]

@@englishterry8084 so exactly when did Starmer state this? If we’re going to loose Pension it will be under a Tory/Reform type government. It’s already been put forward last year by the Tufton street Tory think tanks.

[@guyr7351]

In reality there should be a tiered pension scheme to reflect the level of N.I. Contributions the person has made. If you have had credits applied either due to unemployment, children , ill health etc then you get a basic entitlement. Once you are paying above this then you should be entitled to an enhanced pension. Just look at the level of deductions for both employee and employer if the worker is earning 60, 70, 80K plus a year

[@richardwells4370]

Can you explain the Cope , my state pension will be reduced due to the COPE , can you explain to me how this works , thanks

[@cherrysamuels7409]

Shock horror - I am a married woman pensioner and my state pension is considerably more than my husbands, due to SERPs. Can he claim on an equal basis?

[@shadow-boxer1644]

My husband left a small private pension it has gradually all disappeared to HMRC

[@guyr7351]

Surely only at a rate of 20% income tax? Tax free going in to help it grow tax paid on withdrawal if it takes you over personal tax allowances

[@shadow-boxer1644]

My state pension by no means enormous just over the tax threshold. Husband passed 5 years ago and the small amount left to me eroded each year due to freezing tax thresholds. Its now worth nearly nothing.

[@loopydaloo7425]

Hi Carl thank you for your informative and helpful video. I got a wee bit lost though. Question, my civil partner receives a full state pension. I am only in my 50's. If he died tomorrow would I inherit his pension, but only when I am pensionable age, or would I inherit his state pension before then? Thank you.

[@carlrobertsifa]

Thank you for the feedback. Much appreciated. You may be entitled to some of his pension but only when you reach your own State Pension age. You will lose any benefits if you were to enter a new civil partnership before then.

[@loopydaloo7425]

@@carlrobertsifa Thank you for reply.

[@davidcox8838]

I have checked through my government gateway and it shows I am entitled to full state pension, is this totally reliable? also do I have to claim my pension or will it all happen automatically. Thanks just subscribed. I am 66 in Feb

[@carlrobertsifa]

You should get a letter automatically around 2 months before your State Pension is due. This will tell you how to claim.

[@flyhi2773]

The whole thing is unsustainable though. It’s a Ponzi scheme. It needs more contributors constantly to finance it. It has to remain a pyramid….well, as people live longer and the birth rate declines, so the pyramid became inverted. One of the reasons for so much migration is to try and maintain a pyramid shape but they’re not really contributing enough. Plenty are also claiming, and costing the Government hence unsustainable Government debt. At some probably in the not too distant future it is going to collapse. Oh they can print money, but that just fuels inflation. Youngsters with any sense are fleeing the country as digital nomads and I can’t blame them.

[@catherinewhite8819]

My husband didn’t get a letter at all. As a result we were unaware that you have to apply at least three months beforehand if you want to receive it at your retirement date. He applied at state pension age and received his first payment three months later however it was backdated. This could be a big problem for anyone wholly dependent on SP so important to diary date the application in case the letter doesn’t arrive. Also important is to check the small print underneath the huge font sized amount that you are entitled to, unless it has changed since then. It looks like you will get the full pension but, too late, I noticed it said “if you continue to make NI contributions for the next four years”.

[@susanwinstanley9870]

I have been a widow for 8 years I have written three times and emailed the pension service , to ask if I am entitled to some of my husbands pension . To date there has been no reply .

[@carlrobertsifa]

Shocking service!

[@smyler701]

I am 64 and still making still paying tax and N I. According to the gateway I should get full pension at 66. Just wondered if I move to Spain when I am 66 will I get full pension in Spain?

[@carlrobertsifa]

Yes you should still receive your State Pension.

[@scottwilson9496]

But isn't it frozen at the amount at time of leaving ? I.e it won't rise from that time.

[@lastofthesummerwine651]

@scottwilson9496 I live in Spain recieved UK pension I recieve all increase in pension triple lock etc only thing we don’t get is heating allowance

[@markgibson2172]

Hi, Im 61 this year and my wife 59, she has been diagnosed with MND and is unlikely to live to her pensionable age. What happens to all of he 35 plus years of contributions? Our retirement plans were based on us both having a pension once we were entitled to claim, this will present a shortfall in what we would have had together as I will npw be running a house on one pension?

[@carlrobertsifa]

Unfortunately you may only be able to claim some of any additional State Pension benefits after you reach State Pension and after your wife’s death. There may be other benefits you can claim like sick pay, carers allowance etc.

[@user-qm3bt6sh6c]

This stinks to high heaven. Thanks to Steven Webb, and he got knighted, how dare they , absolutely beyond disgusting!

[@user-mp2ol2kj5g]

Pension frozen when living abroad, l do not under stand why.some countries do receive and others do not.🤔

[@davidk3729]

Think it’s reciprocal arrangements. If, as offered to me I had gone to Canada after retirement my Crown pension would be frozen at the rate then, 39 years ago. Same with state pension, 19 years ago. At 84 years of age, paid taxes since age 16. Paid £2 a week and deducted shilling income tax and shilling union dues, I’m better off than any time in my life. Britain is fkd, no doubt about it - but it’s probably better here than any other country. (Apart from the weather).

[@lordglencoe2194]

you should have made it clear what the state pension age was/is as the rules on that changed as well. My own chartered financial planner has been trying to get an answer on this since October last year and the DWP still cannot tell me if my wife will get my pension when I croak. How can you possibly make sensible retirement plans when the pension provider (HMG) cannot provide a simple answer to a very obvious question. The sooner we move to a scheme like the Singapore Central Provident Fund, the better. Current arrangements are a legalised Ponzi scheme.

[@carlrobertsifa]

You’re definitely right about the Ponzi scheme!

[@guyr7351]

I didnt think a partner was entitled to any pension from their spouse if they died as we all have our individual NI contribution records. This surely has to work for the husbands as well if appropriate

[@user-dd2ry6gc8o]

What about when your wife dies you get put on widows pension for 18 months only now

[@garycrant4511]

what about husband's claiming wife's state pension if she goes first ???

[@carlrobertsifa]

It’s basically the same process.

[@Annabella24183]

Put your savings and pensions in a trust and your property before corporate gov grab it

[@rogerruthven2195]

Why do you keep Mentioning ‘husband’ ???

[@adewhalley8342]

Why do you keep referring to your husband, as thou they will always die before the woman. What if you are the husband is left behind, do they receive the same rules.

[@carlrobertsifa]

It’s basically the same rules. I did the video this way as it’s the question more commonly typed into Google.

[@richardmoyes2501]

You didn’t actually answer the question!

[@tsuchan]

I think he did.

[@user-xb4le4og8e]

I’m staying alive to get my moneys worth so😈

[@djwells43]

me too

[@stevezodiac491]

I was opted out and retired in 2010 from work with 35 years NI contributions. I bought 8 extra NI years after 2016 and am now only 90 p short of a full state pension at £220.30, instead of a full state pension of £221.20. Not bad, i will only have to be in receipt of my state pension for 3 years before i get my 8 years voluntary NI contributions back after I take my state pension in Jan 2025. Then i am quids in for the rest of my life. Unlike a waspi woman, who expected to pay years less NI contributions than everybody else but expects a full state pension because they say they were unaware of pension changes affecting them ? I was exactly the same but i made it my business to find out and didn't expect free money, just by moaning about my ignorance ! They deserve nothing extra, it is unfair on everybody else, who has contributed the correct NI contributions.

[@carlrobertsifa]

It’s definitely a good deal to top up your State Pension!

[@zandrarose9195]

That was as clear as mud

[@joanne26]

The ‘STATE’ pension My father died in 2002 aged 72 and had paid AVC’s and got a final salary pension in 1990 and State Pension also My mother died in 2019 aged 93 with lots of co-morbidities but had paid full stamp back in the day so she got a good firm and state pension However although my parents were well off then, life has changed with regard to Pensions As a general rule men and women are living 10-20 years more now BUT there are not enough young people in jobs to pay for my generation I am single and 59 My state pension age is 67 so 8 years to wait I have private pension that I’m pushing back next year to 65 By 10-20 years hence there won’t be ANY money to pay people age range 35-50 I don’t think I will get even £100 per month and inflation will bring this worth down 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@carlrobertsifa]

You raise some valid points Joanne.

[@johnfinbarr1160]

That big microphone object is distracting me

[@carlrobertsifa]

Sorry John. I am looking at other microphones. Any recommendations people?

[@johnwilson5637]

Click bait.

[@brendawinter7753]

😊

[@sempereadem54eadem64]

Enjoy your wealth 😂😂😂😂😂😂Yeh ok

[@user-yq3nu5hd6n]

Very odd You can have benifits for life Even the cost of funeral No wonder Benifits 11.4 billion a yearit more than state pension. Ps Plan your benifits when you born.... 😂😂

[@MevRB19]

that smile is disgusting. Also, it is not 'passed' it is DIED. Say it like it is.Passed to where? the funeral home?... woke

[@IansOddInterests]

They need to stop our pension so they can send more money to Ukraine … I mean why should we care, work all our lives and then send the money to Zalenski…our government doesn’t represent our feelings… don’t vote Labour or Conservative 4th July, let’s finish the two party system … they are both the same Sunak and Starmer.. get them out.

[@stevezodiac491]

Ukraine matters, just like after Poland in WW2, you could be next !

[@user-jn9gv9ve6e]

i can tell your not american. you should tell what countries you are talking about.

[@carlrobertsifa]

Apologies. Yes this is UK State Pensions.

[@tancreddehauteville764]

Don't assume that every English language video on KZbin is American. Anyway, the clue is in the name - the term 'state pension' is not used in the USA, it's called 'social security' instead.

[@user-jn9gv9ve6e]

@@tancreddehauteville764 i am american and i do have a state pension. so you don't know what you are talking about. that's why i questioned his video.

[@andrewbayram765]

And you said he wasn't American,,,,,so,,,, ?????? Who doesn't know what???? A bit sensitive I think, keep you hair on. 😂😂

[@AJ-hi9fd]

He speaks English like an Englishman, therefore you could assume he’s referring to the UK State Pension Scheme.

[@queenofmyownuniverse2339]

Found this helpful, but will have to watch it again. I’m retiring aged 62 the end of august fully from my local authority after going flexible retirement in November last year on 2.5 days which was great and I planned to stay at least a couple of years. Anyway a new granddaughter and elderly parents have changed my mind. I have to wait until I am 67 to get the state pension. I’m worried now hearing about the gap in NI until aged 67, even though I have also paid full stamp and worked since aged 17. 🫣

[@carlrobertsifa]

Best to check your forecast asap so you are clear on your position.