Widow’s warning: Are you missing out on up to £11,000 in inherited state pension?

If your late spouse built up contributions under the old state pension, you could be entitled to inherit a portion of it. What are the rules and are you eligible?

Senior woman sitting with her dog on a beach at sunset
(Image credit: Alistair Berg via Getty Images)

Widows and widowers could be entitled to boost their state pension by thousands of pounds each year through inherited state pension benefits. The rules could apply to you if your late spouse reached (or would have reached) state pension age before 6 April 2016.

Last tax year, more than half a million surviving spouses boosted their state pension by over £5,000 under these rules, according to new figures obtained by Royal London through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request.

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Timeframe

Scheme

Who contributed to the scheme?

Maximum a spouse or civil partner can inherit

1978 to 2002

State earnings-related pension scheme (SERPS)

You contributed if you were employed

If your spouse died before 6 October 2002, you can inherit up to 100% of their SERPS pension. If they died after this date, you can inherit between 50% and 100%, depending on your spouse’s date of birth. Further information can be found on the government website.

2002 to 2016

State second pension

You contributed if you were employed or claiming certain benefits

Up to 50%

12 October 2015 to 5 April 2017

State pension top up

You contributed if you reached state pension age before 6 April 2016 and opted in

Between 50% and 100%, depending on their date of birth

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Annual Inherited SERPS Payment

Number of Recipients

£0-999

483,880

£1,000-£1,999

268,080

£2,000-£2,999

263,760

£3,000-£3,999

256,180

£4,000-£4,999

213,780

£5,000-£5,999

176,400

£6,000-£6,999

140,180

£7,000-£7,999

101,760

£8,000-£8,999

66,420

£9,000-£9,999

39,540

£10,000+

17,460

Katie Williams
Staff Writer

Katie has a background in investment writing and is interested in everything to do with personal finance, politics, and investing. She enjoys translating complex topics into easy-to-understand stories to help people make the most of their money.

Katie believes investing shouldn’t be complicated, and that demystifying it can help normal people improve their lives.

Before joining the MoneyWeek team, Katie worked as an investment writer at Invesco, a global asset management firm. She joined the company as a graduate in 2019. While there, she wrote about the global economy, bond markets, alternative investments and UK equities.

Katie loves writing and studied English at the University of Cambridge. Outside of work, she enjoys going to the theatre, reading novels, travelling and trying new restaurants with friends.