A state pension claim from the DWP does not end automatically when a loved one dies.
After the passing of a loved one, those grieving may be faced with financial challenges they were not prepared for, however, the state pension can still provide some extra support.
Individuals might be able to inherit an extra payment on top of their new state pension if they’re widowed.
However, it should be noted that they can’t inherit anything if they remarry or form a new civil partnership before they reach state pension age.
When the person dies, people must inform the Pension Service so that payments stop – they can do this by calling the Pension Service helpline on 0800 731 0469.
However some may be entitled to extra payments from their deceased spouse’s or civil partner’s state pension, however, this depends on their National Insurance Contributions and the date they reached the state pension age.
If someone hasn’t reached state pension age yet, they might also be eligible for Bereavement benefits.
Britons can inherit additional state pension if they married or had a civil partnership with their deceased partner before April 6, 2016, and one of the following applies:
· Their partner reached state pension age before April 6, 2016
· They died before April 6, 2016, but would have reached state pension age on or after that date
If someone is married or in a civil partnership and they both reached state pension age before April 6, 2016, and one of them dies, the survivor may be entitled to receive a higher basic state pension based on the National Insurance record of their partner.
This is only the case if the surviving partner hasn’t already built up a full basic state pension from their own National Insurance contribution record.
If their spouse or civil partner is under the state pension age when they die, they will lose this right if they remarry or enter into a new civil partnership before they reach state pension age.
Some people may opt to defer their state pension in order to build up an extra amount. In this situation, the spouse or civil partner may either claim the extra state pension or get a lump sum.
The government website states, if anyone has topped up their State Pension, the spouse or civil partner, may be able to inherit some or all of the top-up.
Additionally, some people can inherit an extra payment on top of their new state pension if they are widowed.
However, an individual cannot inherit anything should they remarry or form a new civil partnership before they reach state pension age.
For more information, people can visit the Government website.
