If your partner passes away, their state pension claim won’t automatically stop, but certain rules must be followed. There are now 12.7 million people in the UK receiving a state pension, with the potential for anyone aged 66 and over to get up to £221.20 weekly.
It’s of crucial importance for people to contact the Pension Service so they can stop the payments after their partner’s death, which can be done by ringing their helpline at 0800 731 0469. But depending on your deceased spouse or civil partner’s National Insurance Contributions as well as when they hit state pension age, you could potentially receive added payments from their state pension.
Bereavement benefits may also be available if you have not yet reached state pension age. If your spouse or civil partner reached state pension age prior to 6th April 2016, the GOV.UK website advises getting hold of the Pension Service after their death to discuss any possible claims.
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If you’re not already receiving the maximum state pension, you may have the opportunity to increase the amount you get by utilising the qualifying years of your deceased partner. On the UK Government site, you can find a helpful tool called “Your partner’s National Insurance record and your state pension” which may be helpful in figuring out what you might have rights to inherit, reports Wales Online.
This applies if you or your spouse or civil partner reached state pension age on or after April 6 2016, or if their passing took place whilst you were below the state pension age.
For those who are single, divorced, or have had their civil partnership dissolved, a portion of the basic state pension may be claimable by their estate. If an individual passes away after reaching the state pension age without claiming their state pension, up to three months of the basic state pension can be claimed by the estate.
Choosing to delay state pension payments can lead to increased payments when they are eventually claimed. Claimants who delay payments could get in the region of £600 annually for those who choose to continue working past the state pension age.
According to GOV. UK, anyone who has topped up their state pension may have some or all of the top-up inherited by their spouse or civil partner.
If an individual is widowed, they may be entitled to an additional payment on top of the new state pension. However, if they remarry or enter into a new civil partnership before reaching state pension age, nothing can be inherited.
If a marriage or civil partnership began before April 6, 2016, and one of the following conditions applies, then an individual may inherit part of their deceased partner’s additional state pension.
If a person’s marriage or civil partnership with their partner started before April 6, 2016, and their state pension age is on or after April 6, 2016, or they passed away on or after April 6, 2016, they will inherit half of their partner’s protected payment, which they will receive alongside the state pension.
If your partner has sadly passed away, you may be entitled to inherit a part or all of their additional state pension or lump sum. This applies if they were deferring their state pension or had begun claiming it after deferral, reached the state pension age before April 6 2016, and were either married or in a civil partnership at the time of their death.
You can calculate how much you might receive by checking your state pension on the GOV. UK website.
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