Hampton & Rowe Check Now ↗

Guide / Bereavement

When a spouse or civil partner has died.

State Pension rules can sometimes provide inherited or survivor-related entitlement, depending on the dates and circumstances.

Take your time. Read the information first, use the government route yourself for free if you prefer, or start our paid support process when you are ready.

Check Now ↗

Bereavement can change the pension questions that need asking.

Some people may be entitled to inherit part of a late spouse or civil partner’s State Pension or receive an uplift under older rules. The position depends on factors such as dates of birth, State Pension age, when the relationship began and the late partner’s pension record.

What may need checking?

  • whether DWP recorded the bereavement and relationship correctly;
  • whether any inherited Additional State Pension or protected amount is relevant;
  • whether older widow/widower or surviving-spouse rules apply;
  • whether HRP or NI record issues affect either person’s historic pension position.

What to gather

If available, pension award letters, bereavement correspondence, marriage/civil partnership details and information about the late partner can help explain the position.

Bereavement rules are technical and vary substantially by date. This page is an introduction rather than an entitlement calculation.

Check Now ↗