The state pension is for men and women aged 66 and over, so born before 1959.
DWP told to offer state pensioners born before 1959 ‘lump sum’
The government has been told to offer a “lump sum” to state pensioners in a rule change. The Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) faces pressure from a petition, which is gaining support on the Parliamentary website.
The petition urges: “Allow State Pension to be passed to children, long-term partners, and dependents. We ask the Government to change State Pension inheritance rules so that individuals 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.
“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.
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“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.”
At 10,000 signatures, government will respond to this petition and at 100,000 signatures, this petition will be considered for debate in Parliament.
The petition was created by Adrienne Allen-Laing with a 19 February 2026 deadline. All petitions run for 6 months.
You might be able to inherit an extra payment on top of your new State Pension if you’re widowed under DWP rules as it stands. The state pension is for men and women aged 66 and over, so born before 1959.
You will not be able to inherit anything if you remarry or form a new civil partnership before you reach State Pension age.
You might inherit part of your deceased partner’s Additional State Pension if your marriage or civil partnership with them began before 6 April 2016 and one of the following applies: your partner reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016 and they died before 6 April 2016 but would have reached State Pension age on or after that date.
It will be paid with your State Pension.