Married to a foreign wife state pension

talkmagic007

Hello all
I'm British born married to a lady from the Philippines.
Marriage is certified, and recognised in the UK.
I live in Philippines but am still here in UK due to covid 19.
I will be living in the Philippines permanently, already have house, visa etc etc.
I retire in 3 years state pension only.
When I pass away, will my wife be entitled to any of my state pension, or other benefits?
And do I have to register her with UK pension department, or is the marriage certificate enough proof?
I beleive the pensions changed in 2016 but cant seem to find the new rules for a foreign wife

Brynsam

Don't think your wife's nationality matters in terms of what she might or might not 'inherit' from your UK state pension: https://www.gov.uk/new-state-pension/inheriting-or-increasing-state-pension-from-a-spouse-or-civil-partner

If you are both domiciled in the Philippines at the time you die, and she survives you, she would (at least under current legislation) be eligible for Bereavement Support Payment:  https://www.gov.uk/bereavement-support-payment (because the Philippines is a country which does pay 'bereavement benefits')

macman

It depends for how long and what benefits you have built up, but since 2016, as you say,  there has been no wholesale 'inheritance' of the state pension by a foreign spouse.
You will also get no annual pension uplift as a Philippines resident: your pension will be fixed at the level you start drawing in 2023.

Marcon

macman said:

You will also get no annual pension uplift as a Philippines resident: your pension will be fixed at the level you start drawing in 2023.

No - the Philippines is one of the countries with whom the UK has a reciprocal agreement, so UK state pensions are increased for those living there after retirement. See https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/state-pensions-annual-increases-if-you-live-abroad/countries-where-we-pay-an-annual-increase-in-the-state-pension

xylophone

When I pass away, will my wife be entitled to any of my state pension, or other benefits?

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/181235/derived-inherited-entitlement.pdf