Broadly speaking your State Pension will normally stop being paid when you die. It is not commonly discussed, but sometimes it can in fact be passed on, whether you’ve begun to draw from them or not.
The UK’s State Pension age is set to change from 66 to 67 next year, with the rise anticipated to be fully implemented for all men and women nationwide by 2028. Being aware of these impending changes is crucial, especially if you have a retirement plan. The state pension is paid out to individuals aged 66 or over, who have made at least 10 years of National Insurance (NI) contributions, with the full amount being made available to those who have paid 35 years’ worth of NI contributions. When you reach pension age, you can choose to defer your payments and so receive larger ones at a later date.
In some cases your husband, wife, or civil partner could inherit some of your State Pension but there are a number of complex rules and regulations that must be adhered to. These topics are important to understand to make sure that your wishes are in order for when you are no longer here.
If you pass away before reaching the state pension age your spouse or civil partner may gain additional pension benefits if they also haven’t yet reached the pension age.
If you pass away after reaching the state pension age – and you received the Additional State Pension, as well as being on the pre-2016 system, your partner may be able to inherit part of that upon your passing.
If you’re on the post-2016 system, they may be entitled to increased pension payouts.
What happens to private pensions when you die?
When a private pension owner dies, the unspent money in their pension pot can usually be passed on to named beneficiaries, often tax-free if the death occurs before the age of 75.
In cases where no beneficiary has been named, the pension provider may decide where it goes on your behalf.
“Workplace pensions come in two main types: defined contribution (DC) and defined benefit (DB),” explains Fiona Peake, personal finance expert at Ocean Finance. “With a DC pension, it’s all about the pot of money you’ve built up. If you pass away before age 75, your beneficiaries can usually access this money tax-free, as long as it’s paid out within two years. After 75, they’ll likely need to pay income tax on any withdrawals at their own rate.”
If you have a workplace or private pension, you may be able to take your pension early because you’re ill. This is known as ill-health retirement. However, this differs between pension providers so it is best to check with them.