how much

henry24

The wife parents retired to Spain 15 years ago and are both in there 80s, when they worked he paid full NI and gets full state pension she opted out so only gets a very small amount if he dies what would she get?

xylophone

The wife parents retired to Spain 15 years ago and are both in there 80s, when they worked he paid full NI and gets full state pension she opted out so only gets a very small amount if he dies what would she get?

Do you mean that your MIL only paid the "married woman's stamp" and did not qualify for a state pension in her own right so claims a "category B" pension on her husband's contributions?

Or do you mean that she receives only a basic state pension because she was in an occupational scheme that was "contracted out"?

https://www.savvywoman.co.uk/1594/what-happens-to-your-state-pension-when-you-die/

Some archived material but relevant to them as they fall under the old system.

http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20060130194436/direct.gov.uk/en/moneytaxandbenefits/pensionsandretirement/statepension/dg_10026707

And they can check with the Pensions Service.

henry24

We think the 1st one, she gets paid something like £15 a week into her own account but that won't buy much if it's all she gets when he dies.

xylophone

she gets paid something like £15 a week into her own account but that won't buy much if it's all she gets when he dies.

You say that your FIL has a full contribution record - is she not entitled to a Category B state pension on his contributions?

http://www.rights4seniors.net/content/understanding-basic-state-pension