The State Pension age started a phased rise from 66 to 67 last month and is due to be completed by March 2028. Some five million people claiming the New State Pension<\/a> are now receiving payments of up to \u00a3241.30 each week, and as the contributory benefit is usually paid every four weeks, this amounts to \u00a3965.20 per pay period.<\/p>\n The majority of overall claimants (8.2m) are receiving Basic State Pension payments<\/a> of up to \u00a3184.90 each week, the equivalent of \u00a3739.60 per pay period.<\/p>\n READ MORE: NS&I to contact thousands of bereaved families next week over missing savings<\/a>READ MORE: DWP extra weekly State Pension payment to older people in specific age group<\/a><\/p>\n The type of State Pension a person receives depends on their date of birth – men born before April 6, 1951 and women born before April 6, 1953 are eligible for the Basic State Pension while those born after these dates will get the New State Pension.<\/p>\n But what happens to State Pension payments when someone dies?<\/p>\n It’s a difficult topic and not one anyone would choose to think about, but knowing what will happen could help you or a family member later on. Below is a quick overview of what you need to know.<\/p>\n State Pension payments after someone dies<\/p>\n A claim for State Pension won’t just end when someone dies, there are things you need to do. When the person dies, you must inform the Pension Service<\/a> so payments stop – you can do this by calling the Pension Service helpline on 0800 731 0469.<\/p>\n You may be entitled to extra payments from your deceased spouse’s or civil partner’s State Pension, however, this depends on their National Insurance Contributions<\/a>, and the date they reached the State Pension age.<\/p>\n If you haven’t reached State Pension age yet, you might also be eligible for Bereavement benefits<\/a>.<\/p>\n Inheritance: Basic State Pension<\/p>\n Should a spouse or civil partner have reached State Pension age before April 6, 2016, then GOV.UK<\/a> instructs people to contact the Pension Service<\/a> once someone dies in order to check what they can claim.<\/p>\n It may be that they can increase their Basic State Pension by using the deceased\u2019s qualifying years if they do not already get the full amount.<\/p>\n Should they have reached State Pension age on or after April 6, 2016, or be under State Pension age when their spouse or civil partner dies, the \u201cYour partner\u2019s National Insurance record and your State Pension\u201d tool on the UK Government website<\/a> can enable a person to check what inheritance they may be entitled to.<\/p>\n For people who are single or divorced<\/a>, or who have had their civil partnership dissolved, it may be that their estate can claim some of a Basic State Pension.<\/p>\n This is if that person dies after reaching State Pension age, and only if the State Pension had not been claimed. In this circumstance, the estate can claim up to three months of the Basic State Pension.<\/p>\n Full New State Pension<\/strong><\/p>\n Full Basic State Pension<\/strong><\/p>\n Other State Pension rates<\/strong><\/p>\n state Pension payment rates can be paid weekly, fortnightly or every four weeks by the DWP.<\/p>\n Extra money from deferring State Pension<\/p>\n Once someone reaches State Pension age they can defer payments if they choose to carry on working. Doing this will actually increase payments when they eventually decide to claim by around \u00a3660 each year.<\/p>\n State Pension top-up<\/p>\n Guidance on GOV.UK states anyone who has topped up their State Pension<\/a>, the spouse or civil partner may be able to inherit some or all of the top up.<\/p>\n Inheritance: New State Pension<\/p>\n It may be that a person is able to inherit an extra payment on top of their new State Pension<\/a> if they are widowed.<\/p>\n However, an individual cannot inherit anything should they remarry or form a new civil partnership before they reach State Pension age.<\/p>\n Inheriting additional State Pension<\/p>\n If a marriage or civil partnership began before April 6, 2016 and one of the following circumstances applies, then a person may inherit part of their deceased partner\u2019s Additional State Pension. These are:<\/p>\n Inheriting a protected payment<\/p>\n A person will inherit half of their partner\u2019s protected payment if their marriage or civil partnership with them began before April 6, 2016, and:<\/p>\n Inheriting extra State Pension or a lump sum<\/p>\n A person may inherit part of all of their partner\u2019s extra State Pension or lump sum if:<\/p>\n Check your State Pension to calculate how much money you will receive on the GOV.UK website here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Join the conversation on our Money Saving Scotland Facebook group<\/a> for money-saving tips, the latest State Pension and benefits news, energy bill advice and cost of living updates.<\/p>\n Sign up to our Record Money newsletter and get the top stories sent to your inbox daily from Monday to Friday with a special cost of living edition every Thursday – sign up here<\/a>.<\/p>\n You can also follow us on X<\/strong> (formerly Twitter) @Recordmoney_<\/a> for regular updates throughout the day or get money news alerts on your phone by joining our Daily Record Money WhatsApp community<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20_JS184594118.jpg\")
State Pension Rates 2026\/27<\/p>\n\n
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