late husbands pension

Alsgirl1970

Hi everyone, my husband was 18 years older than me, he passed away in 2019 (67), I am 54 years old now.  I've been told I've got to wait until I am 68 retirement age before I am entitled to his old age pension from the DWP is this true? can anyone assist me with this please. thanks.

DE_612183

Which scheme was he in?

Was he taking the pension when he passed?

Marcon

Alsgirl1970 said:

Hi everyone, my husband was 18 years older than me, he passed away in 2019 (67), I am 54 years old now.  I've been told I've got to wait until I am 68 retirement age before I am entitled to his old age pension from the DWP is this true? can anyone assist me with this please. thanks.

Any 'inherited' state pension is payable from the time you reach your own State Pension Age.

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

DE_612183

I know there is a 12 year rule for a reduced pension, it could be that you can take a pension early - but it will be at a reduced amount.

Marcon

DE_612183 said:

I know there is a 12 year rule for a reduced pension, it could be that you can take a pension early - but it will be at a reduced amount.

OP has asked about state pension, which can't be 'taken early'.

To avoid confusing other readers of this thread, there is no '12 year rule' for private pensions - the rules of the individual scheme set out what is and isn't possible.

p00hsticks

If you are referring to his state pension, then I'm afraid that as both you and he reach(ed) State Pension age after April 5th 2016 and therefore fall under the new State Pension (nSP) scheme, the only part of his state pension that you will be able to inherit is half of any 'protected payment' he may have had. 
The new State Pension: Inheriting or increasing State Pension from a spouse or civil partner - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

A 'protected payment' occurs if at the time the nsP was introduced your husband was already entitled to more than the nSP maximum amount (at the point of introduction this maximum was £155.65 a week, you can see subsequent yearly figures here)
State Pension history - TFP Calculators

If there is such an amount to inherit, it will start to be paid alongside your own state pension when you reach state pension age.