DWP urged to change State Pension inheritance rules | Personal Finance | Finance

January 13, 2026 2,258

A new online petition is calling on the UK Government to reform existing inheritance regulations surrounding State Pension entitlements. Currently, the system permits only spouses and civil partners to inherit State Pension payments following a loved one’s death.

Petition organiser Adrienne Allen-Laing is campaigning for people to have the option to “nominate a beneficiary such as their child, long-term cohabiting partner, or carer” or receive a “lump sum” payment instead.

The campaign, titled ‘Allow State Pension to be passed to children, long-term partners, and dependents’, has been published on the UK Government’s Petitions Parliament platform. Should it reach 10,000 signatures, the Government would be obliged to provide a written response.

According to the petition: “We ask the Government to change State Pension inheritance rules so that people can nominate a beneficiary such as their child, long-term cohabiting partner, or carer – or offer them a lump sum – so it is not just a spouse or civil partner inheriting from the pension as at present.”

It continues: “State Pension benefits can only be inherited by a spouse/civil partner. Unmarried partners, adult children, or other dependents are excluded, even if financially dependent. Many may support adult children with disabilities, or are cared for by someone other than a spouse or civil partner.”, reports the Daily Record.

“We believe in having a system that recognises real-world relationships and dependency; allowing people to nominate a beneficiary, or offer a lump sum to dependents, could help protect vulnerable loved ones from financial hardship after bereavement.”

State Pension payments don’t automatically cease upon someone’s death; there are necessary steps to take. It is crucial to inform the Pension Service of the person’s passing to halt payments – this can be done by ringing the Pension Service helpline on 0800 731 0469.

You might be eligible for additional payments from your deceased spouse’s or civil partner’s State Pension, but this hinges on their National Insurance Contributions and the date they reached the State Pension age.

If you’ve not yet reached State Pension age, Bereavement benefits may also be available to you.

Inheritance: Basic State Pension.

For those whose spouse or civil partner reached State Pension age before April 6, 2016, GOV.UK advises contacting the Pension Service following a death to establish what can be claimed.

It’s possible to boost their Basic State Pension using the deceased’s qualifying years if they’re not already receiving the full amount.

If they reach State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016, or are below State Pension age when their spouse or civil partner passes away, the “Your partner’s National Insurance record and your State Pension” tool on the UK Government website can help them check what inheritance they might be entitled to.

For those who are single or divorced, or have had their civil partnership dissolved, their estate may be able to claim a portion of a Basic State Pension.

This applies if the person passes away after reaching State Pension age, and only if the State Pension has not been claimed. In this situation, the estate can claim up to three months of the Basic State Pension.

Extra money from deferring State Pension

Once a person reaches State Pension age, they can choose to defer payments if they decide to continue working. This will actually boost payments by around £660 each year when they eventually decide to claim.

State Pension top-up

According to guidance on GOV.UK, if someone has topped up their State Pension, the spouse or civil partner may be able to inherit some or all of the top-up.

Inheritance: New State Pension

A person may be able to inherit an additional payment on top of their new State Pension if they are widowed.

However, a person cannot inherit anything if they remarry or enter into a new civil partnership before they reach State Pension age.

Inheriting additional State Pension

If a marriage or civil partnership was established prior to April 6, 2016 and one of the following conditions is met, a person may be entitled to inherit a portion of their deceased partner’s Additional State Pension. These conditions include:

The deceased partner reached State Pension age before April 6, 2016
They died before April 6, 2016 but would have reached State Pension age on or after that date

Inheriting a protected payment

A person will inherit half of their partner’s protected payment if their marriage or civil partnership with them commenced before April 6, 2016, and:

Their State Pension age is on or after April 6, 2016
They died on or after April 6, 2016
This payment will be made with the State Pension

Inheriting additional State Pension or a lump sum

A person may inherit part or all of their partner’s extra State Pension or lump sum if:

They died while they were deferring their State Pension or had started claiming it after deferring
They reached State pension age before April 6, 2016
They were married or in the civil partnership when they died.

Check your State Pension to calculate how much money you will receive on the GOV.UK website here.