Widows State Pension

WoodlandView33

I have tried to find out a definitive answer to this question but have been unsuccessful so wondering if anyone can answer this please?
My husband died at the age of 53 in May 2017- what happens to all the National Insurance contributions that went towards the State Pension he will never receive?
As his widow when I receive my own state pension in approximately 7 years time, will I be entitled to top
up my own pension from his unused contributions?
I have not remarried.

molerat

As you were both due to retire under the new 2016 pension and he died after April 2016 there is no inheritance of basic or additional pension but you can claim half of any protected payment, that is any amount above the new full pension, if he had already exceeded the maximum pension at April 2016.  Your main pension entitlement will be based purely on your own contribution record.

xylophone

The New State Pension was introduced on 6 April 2016 so that your late husband died after its introduction.

Had he lived, he would have drawn his pension under the new scheme as will you.

On 6/4/16, two calculations were done for both of you to establish your "starting (foundation) amounts" for NSP ( as described in this Guide to NSP produced for the public).



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

The full NSP at introduction was £155.65.

If your husband's starting amount at 6/4/16 was higher than a full NSP, he would have had a "protected payment". See p 8 of link above.

In respect of inherited rights where both parties to a marriage  reached (or would have reached) SPA under the new state pension scheme, see p 15 here

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

xylophone

Have you obtained a state pension forecast?

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