Get Cf N 701

Also known as widow or widower's insurance benefits or survivor's benefits, widow's pensions are federally funded monthly payments administered through the U.S. Social Security Administration. These payments go to the survivor of a deceased worker who earned enough work credits to qualify for this spousal benefit.

Under the rules of the old state pension system, a married woman could claim a basic state pension of roughly 60% of the rate being received by her husband provided both he and she were over state pension age. The table shows the full rate of the basic state pension and the maximum 'married woman's rate' since 2010.

Widows or widowers benefits based on age can start any time between age 60 and full retirement age as a survivor. If the benefits start at an earlier age, they are reduced a fraction of a percent for each month before full retirement age.

Surviving spouse, full retirement age or older — 100% of the deceased worker's benefit amount. Surviving spouse, age 60 — through full retirement age — 71½ to 99% of the deceased worker's basic amount. Surviving spouse with a disability aged 50 through 59 — 71½%.

Part of the process of completing the Life Certificate is that we need an independent witness, who does not live with you and is not related to you. Most people have a friend, neighbour or an ex-work colleague who knows them.

Your State Pension will normally stop being paid when you die. But sometimes, your husband, wife, or civil partner (if you have one) could inherit some of your State Pension. This depends on the amount of National Insurance contributions you both made, and when you both reached (or will reach) State Pension age.

If your starting amount of State Pension is higher than the full new State Pension, then you get an extra amount. This is called your 'protected payment'. It is paid on top of the full new State Pension. This means that your state pension will not be lower than the state pension you would have got under the old scheme.

If death is before retirement, the spouse usually is eligible for an annuity if the employee had sufficient age and service to qualify for early retirement benefits; the size of the annuity depends on the pension the worker would have received if he or she had opted for early retirement.