The new State Pension

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Inheriting or increasing State Pension from a spouse or civil partner

You might be able to inherit an extra payment on top of your new State Pension if you’re widowed.

You will not be able to inherit anything if you remarry or form a new civil partnership before you reach State Pension age.

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
  • 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.

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:

  • they reached State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016
  • they died on or after 6 April 2016

It will be paid with your State Pension.

Inheriting extra State Pension or a lump sum

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 the 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 reduced rate National Insurance for married women, you might be able to increase your new State Pension if you’re eligible.

If you get divorced or dissolve your civil partnership

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

You’ll 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.

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