Most people will get the increase automatically if they're eligible, but some married women must contact the Pension Service.
Quick facts
- Up to
- £110.75 a week
- You reached pension age
- Before 6 April 2016
- Based on
- Your partner's National Insurance
- Recently widowed or divorced
- May still qualify
- New State Pension
- Your own record only
Increasing your basic State Pension
The additional amount you’ll get is based on your spouse’s or civil partner’s National Insurance contributions.
You can only get an increase if you reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016 and your spouse or civil partner reached State Pension age either:
- before 6 April 2016, and they qualify for basic State Pension
- on or after 6 April 2016, and they have one or more qualifying years of National Insurance contributions or credits from before 6 April 2016 (even if they do not qualify for the new State Pension)
You might qualify for an increase, even if your spouse or civil partner has not claimed the State Pension, or you were widowed, divorced or had your civil partnership dissolved in the last 12 months.
How to get it
Most people will get the increase automatically if they’re eligible.
You’ll need to contact the Pension Service to get the increase if you’re a married woman and your spouse claimed their State Pension before 17 March 2008, or you reached State Pension age before your spouse.
If your partner dies (new State Pension)
You might be able to inherit an extra payment on top of your new State Pension if you’re widowed.
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 your partner reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016, or they died before 6 April 2016 but would have reached State Pension age on or after that date.
You’ll inherit half of your partner’s protected payment if your marriage or civil partnership with them began before 6 April 2016 and they reached State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016 and died on or after 6 April 2016.
You will not be able to inherit anything if you remarry or form a new civil partnership before you reach State Pension age.
The new State Pension
The new State Pension is based on your own National Insurance record. See the State Pension and voluntary National Insurance.
Common questions
Can I get a State Pension based on my husband's or wife's record?
Yes, up to £110.75 a week, if you reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016.
Is it automatic?
Usually, but some married women must contact the Pension Service.
Can I inherit my partner's State Pension?
You may inherit Additional State Pension or half of a protected payment if your marriage began before 6 April 2016.
Does it work with the new State Pension?
The new State Pension is based on your own record, though inheritance rules can still apply.