Inheriting new State Pension

This information is for a man born on or after 6 April 1951 or a woman born on or after 6 April 1953

Inheriting Additional State Pension

You might inherit part of your deceased partner’s Additional State Pension if your marriage or civil partnership with them began before 6 April 2016, and one of the following applies:

• your partner reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016 

or

• they died before 6 April 2016 but would have reached State Pension age on or after that date

It will be paid with your State Pension.

• Additional State Pension

Inheriting a Protected Payment

You’ll inherit half of your partner’s protected payment if your marriage or civil partnership with them began before 6 April 2016 and:

• their State Pension age is on or after 6 April 2016

or

• they died on or after 6 April 2016

It will be paid with your State Pension.

Inheriting extra State Pension or a lump sum payment

You may inherit part of or all of your partner’s extra State Pension or lump sum if:

• they died while they were deferring their State Pension (before claiming) or they had started claiming it after deferring
• they reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016
• you were married or in a civil partnership when they died

Your partner’s National Insurance record and your State Pension

The new State Pension is based on your own National Insurance record.

If you paid married women’s or widows’ reduced rate National Insurance, you might be able to increase your new State Pension if you’re eligible.

If you divorce or dissolve your civil partnership

The courts can make a ‘pension sharing order’ if you get divorced or dissolve your civil partnership.

You will get an extra payment on top of your State Pension if your ex-partner is ordered to share their Additional State Pension or protected payment with you.

Your State Pension will be reduced if you’re ordered to share your Additional State Pension or protected payment with your partner.

More useful links

• Reduced rate National Insurance for married women – GOV.UK website​
• Your partner’s National Insurance record and your State Pension - GOV.UK website