State Pension for Widows

alan1406

A friend aged 55 is terminally ill with cancer and has full NI contributions, as does his 51 year old wife. He will not be around to collect his State Pension, but does this mean his wife can receive additional benefits on account of her husband's contributions? Looking at various websites I believe she would qualify for bereavement allowances, but I'm not sure if any additional income would be received by her before and after her own state retirement age of 66.

StephenM_2

She should get bereavement payment, which is £2000 tax free lump sum,plus bereavement allowance, which for a 51 year old is £76.28 a week for 12 months. The latter is taxable.

I don't think there's anything else.

I'm currently claiming bereavement allowance, and got the bereavement payment about 3 months ago.

jem16

alan1406 wrote: »

Looking at various websites I believe she would qualify for bereavement allowances, but I'm not sure if any additional income would be received by her before and after her own state retirement age of 66.

Bereavement Allowance before and the possibility of using her husband's NI record if it's better than her own after state pension age. If she has her own full state pension she can inherit 50% of her husband's SERPS/S2P.

alan1406

Thanks Steve & Jem - most useful