Widow pension before reaching retirement age?

badsimian

My Father passed away recently, he was in receipt of a full state pension. My Mum reaches retirement age in April - the government website says she can only receive some of his pension if she herself is at state pension age. Is that still the case next April - as in it doesn't expire or is that it, she can't ever get any of it? She doesn't work and receives a small NHS pension currently.

MX5huggy

https://www.gov.uk/new-state-pension/inheriting-or-increasing-state-pension-from-a-spouse-or-civil-partner

What’s her own pension forecast showing? 

xylophone

Was your father in receipt of old SP or new SP?



What exactly did his statement of increased benefits (received around March) show?



Has your mother obtained a state pension forecast?

If not, she can do so here

https://www.gov.uk/check-state-pension

And see

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

badsimian

£160 a week. So reading that and given my Dad started claiming after 2016, she should inherit half of his pension I think. Does it happen automatically or does she need to apply for it?

badsimian

Was your father in receipt of old SP or new SP?

What exactly did his statement of increased benefits (received around March) show?

Has your mother obtained a state pension forecast?

If not, she can do so here...

As he started receiving it post 2016 I assume the new one? I cannot find the statement from March, latest one I can find is from 2020. 

xylophone

The link above described the principles that would apply to inheritance of SP derived from a current or former partner once the new SP was introduced.

The figure of £144 was used as an illustration of what the new state pension could be at inception.

See https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/181237/single-tier-pension-fact-sheet.pdf



When NSP was introduced 6/4/2016,  a full NSP was £155.65.

Currently it is £185.15 because it has been increased since inception,



On 6/4/16, a calculation was done for those under SPA in order to establish their "starting amount" for New State Pension.



These people could be in one of three positions, a "starting amount" more than, equal to or less than a full NSP.

Those whose "starting amount" was more than a full NSP  had the SP divided ( for pension increase purposes) into the amount representing a full NSP and the balance, which would be known as the "protected payment".

Only those with a starting amount more than £155.65 could have a protected payment.



A widow who reaches SPA in the new system and whose spouse reached it in the new system can inherit only a percentage of any protected payment.

It appears that your father did not have a "protected payment".

xylophone

Has your mother obtained a State Pension Forecast?

If not, she should obtain one from the link above.

What exactly does it show?

Did your father have a private or occupational pension?

If so, has your mother contacted the administrators?

badsimian

Okay I found a letter which says there is a protected payment of £20.15 a week...so it's only a portion of that she will get? i.e. not much. Is that automatic or has to be applied for?

xylophone

Okay I found a letter which says there is a protected payment of £20.15 a week...

Then I do not follow why your father's statement of increase in benefits shows  a pension of  only £160.00 a week.

If there is a PP, then as in the link, your mother would be entitled to inherit 50%.

Presumably your mother has advised DWP that your father has died.

Early next year, your mother should receive an invitation to claim her  state pension.

https://www.gov.uk/new-state-pension/how-to-claim

She will provide all relevant details of her situation at that time.

You do not say whether your mother has obtained her forecast?

If it does not show entitlement to a full NSP in her own right, it may be that she would  be able to improve her situation with voluntary contributions.

molerat

50% of the protected amount is the only inheritance when both parties are under the post 2016 rules.

I do not believe you have to claim this extra amount separately as when you apply for the state pension it asks details of marital status and spouse etc.  The system should then put 2 and 2 together but as we all know government computers often come up with the wrong answer.

Are you saying her SP forecast is only showing £160 pw ?

If you post up all the numbers people here will talk you through what could be done to increase that amount.

xylophone

Then I do not follow why your father's statement of increase in benefits shows  a pension of  only £160.00 a week.

I have now seen

As he started receiving it post 2016 I assume the new one? I cannot find the statement from March, latest one I can find is from 2020. 

but this still doesn't solve the problem.

The full NSP at 6/4/2020 was £175.20.