TL;DR: There is no single benefit in the UK called "widow's pension" for people over 70 in 2026. The historic Widow's Pension was replaced by Bereavement Allowance in 2001, and Bereavement Allowance was itself replaced by Bereavement Support Payment in 2017. Bereavement Support Payment is available to widows, widowers and surviving civil partners who were under state pension age when their spouse or civil partner died, so it does not apply to those over state pension age. Surviving spouses or civil partners over state pension age can instead inherit part of the deceased's additional State Pension (under the old scheme) or a small amount of the deceased's protected payment (under the new State Pension), depending on the dates of birth and the deceased's contribution record. Pension Credit, the state pension itself, and inheritance of private and workplace pensions also play a role.
Last reviewed May 2026
The phrase "widow's pension for over 70" sits at the intersection of two changes: the renaming and restructuring of bereavement benefits, and the move from the old State Pension to the new State Pension in 2016. Many widows and widowers over 70 still use the language of "widow's pension" to describe whatever income they receive after their spouse's death, but the technical product names and amounts depend on the deceased's contribution record and the dates of birth involved.
This guide explains exactly what income a widow, widower or surviving civil partner over the state pension age can expect to receive in 2026, the different rules under the old and new State Pension, the role of Pension Credit, and how inheritance of workplace and private pensions interacts with the state position.
The historic "Widow's Pension" and what replaced it
The original Widow's Pension was a contributory benefit paid to widows under state pension age who were not in work. It was payable through the National Insurance system, based on the deceased husband's contribution record. The Widow's Pension was replaced for new claims by Bereavement Allowance in 2001, which extended cover to widowers as well as widows.
Bereavement Allowance was replaced for new claims from 6 April 2017 by Bereavement Support Payment. The new payment is structured as an initial lump sum (3,500 pounds for the higher rate, 2,500 pounds for the lower rate) plus monthly instalments for up to 18 months (350 pounds higher rate, 100 pounds lower rate). The higher rate applies where the surviving spouse or civil partner has a child eligible for child benefit; the lower rate applies otherwise.
Bereavement Support Payment is only available to surviving spouses or civil partners who are under state pension age at the date of the death. Anyone over state pension age does not qualify. The position for those over state pension age is governed by the inheritance rules within the State Pension itself, not by a separate "widow's" benefit.
Inheriting from the old State Pension
The old State Pension (the system for people who reached state pension age before 6 April 2016) had two parts: the basic State Pension and the additional State Pension (formerly SERPS, then State Second Pension). A surviving spouse or civil partner of a deceased person who reached state pension age before 6 April 2016 can inherit at least some of the additional State Pension under the old rules.
The proportion of additional State Pension inheritable depends on the deceased's date of birth: the maximum is 100 percent for deaths where the deceased was born before October 1937 (men) or July 1940 (women), tapering down to 50 percent for deaths where the deceased was born after October 1945 (men) or July 1950 (women). The graduated retirement benefit can also be inherited at 50 percent.
The basic State Pension itself is not "inherited" in cash terms after April 2016 in the same way. Where the surviving spouse or civil partner is themselves under the old State Pension system, they may be able to use the deceased's National Insurance record to top up their own basic State Pension if their own contributions are insufficient. The DWP calculates the position case by case.
Inheriting from the new State Pension
The new State Pension applies to people reaching state pension age on or after 6 April 2016. The new system is structured around the individual's own National Insurance record, with limited inheritance rights compared with the old system. A surviving spouse or civil partner can inherit only a small portion of the deceased's pension in specific circumstances.
Where the deceased had a "protected payment" (additional amount above the new State Pension's standard rate, reflecting accrued additional State Pension under the old rules before April 2016), the surviving spouse or civil partner can inherit half of the protected payment, provided the marriage or civil partnership was in place before 6 April 2016 and the deceased reached state pension age (or died before reaching it) on or after that date.
The full new State Pension rate (218.15 pounds a week for 2024-25, uprated each tax year by the triple lock) is the maximum a new State Pension claimant can receive from their own record. The inherited protected payment is in addition to this. The DWP calculates the inheritable amount based on the deceased's record at the date of death.
Pension Credit and what it tops up
Pension Credit is a means-tested benefit for people over state pension age on a low income. It has two parts: Guarantee Credit, which tops up income to a minimum level, and Savings Credit, which provides a modest top-up for those who have made some savings provision (Savings Credit is only available to people who reached state pension age before 6 April 2016).
For 2024-25 (with annual upratings), Guarantee Credit tops up weekly income to 218.15 pounds for a single person or 332.95 pounds for a couple, before any premiums for severe disability or caring responsibilities. A widow or widower with State Pension below the Guarantee Credit threshold and modest savings can claim Pension Credit on a single-person basis after their spouse's death.
Pension Credit unlocks several "passport" benefits: full Housing Benefit (or the housing element of Universal Credit), full Council Tax Reduction (where the local authority operates one), free TV licence for over 75s, Cold Weather Payments, and Warm Home Discount in most cases. The cash effect of these passport benefits is often larger than the Pension Credit itself.
Inheriting workplace and private pensions
Workplace and private pension inheritance is set by the rules of each scheme and the deceased's nomination. A surviving spouse or civil partner can typically inherit a survivor's pension from a defined benefit (DB) scheme (often 50 percent of the deceased's pension), a lump sum from a defined contribution (DC) scheme, or continuing drawdown from a DC scheme in drawdown.
The tax treatment of inherited DC pensions depends on whether the deceased was under 75 or 75 or over at the date of death. Death before 75 means the pot can normally be paid to beneficiaries tax-free (lump sum) or as taxable income (drawdown, where the rate depends on the beneficiary's marginal rate). Death at 75 or over means lump sums and drawdown income are taxed at the beneficiary's marginal rate. The lump sum and death benefit allowance applies.
The annuity position is set by the original annuity contract. Some annuities continue paying a reduced amount to a surviving spouse (a joint-life annuity); single-life annuities normally end on the annuitant's death, with any guarantee period continuing for the balance of the guarantee. Older annuities should be checked carefully because the inheritance terms vary widely between contracts and providers.
Tax position of inherited pension income
Inherited State Pension income is treated as the survivor's own State Pension for income tax purposes: taxable as pension income, but paid gross (no PAYE deduction at source), with HMRC adjusting the survivor's other PAYE income through the tax code to recover the tax on the State Pension. The survivor's private pension code typically reduces to reflect the added State Pension income.
Bereavement Support Payment (where applicable to under state pension age claims) is paid tax-free and is not included in the tax calculation. It is also disregarded for most means-tested benefits in the first 12 months. After 12 months, any remaining instalments count as income for some means-tested benefits.
Inherited private pension income, whether annuity or drawdown, is taxed at the survivor's marginal rate (subject to the age-75 rule above for DC pensions). The annual personal allowance and the basic, higher and additional rate thresholds apply in the normal way.
Practical steps after a bereavement
The DWP's Tell Us Once service notifies multiple government departments of a death, including the State Pension, Universal Credit, council tax, the Passport Office and the DVLA, with one set of contact details. The service is offered by most registrars when the death is registered.
For widows and widowers over state pension age, the practical steps are: notify DWP of the death and request a State Pension review (the surviving spouse's own State Pension may increase under the inheritance rules described above), claim Pension Credit if income is low, claim Council Tax Reduction or Housing Benefit if applicable, check the position on workplace and private pensions inheritance with each scheme administrator, and check the tax position with HMRC through the personal tax account.
Help is available from Age UK, MoneyHelper, the Pension Wise service (for those approaching or in retirement with DC pensions), and local Citizens Advice. Specialist bereavement support is available from Cruse Bereavement Care for emotional and practical support during the early months.
How we verified this
This article reflects current GOV.UK and DWP guidance on the State Pension (both old and new), Bereavement Support Payment, Pension Credit, and the inheritance rules between spouses and civil partners. The State Pension framework reflects the Pensions Act 2014 and subsequent regulations. The pension inheritance and lump sum and death benefit allowance reflect the Finance Act 2024 and HMRC pensions tax manual. Specific rates change each tax year through the annual uprating exercise; the latest rates should be checked on GOV.UK for the relevant tax year.
Disclaimer: This article is general information about UK bereavement and state pension entitlements for those over 70. It is not personal benefit or tax advice. The right outcome in an individual case depends on the deceased's National Insurance record, the dates of birth and marriage, and the survivor's own circumstances. Anyone unsure of their position should contact the DWP State Pension service or take advice from MoneyHelper, Citizens Advice or Age UK.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a widow's pension for someone over 70 in the UK?
Not as a single named benefit. The historic Widow's Pension was replaced by Bereavement Allowance in 2001 and then by Bereavement Support Payment in 2017, neither of which is available to those over state pension age. Widows, widowers and surviving civil partners over state pension age can inherit a portion of the deceased's additional State Pension (old scheme) or protected payment (new scheme), and may qualify for Pension Credit.
How much state pension does a widow get over 70?
The widow or widower receives their own State Pension based on their own National Insurance record, potentially increased by inheritance of part of the deceased's pension. The inheritable amount depends on whether the deceased was under the old or new State Pension scheme, and on the deceased's contribution record. The DWP State Pension service calculates the specific amount.
Do I get my husband's state pension when he dies?
It depends on the scheme. Under the old State Pension (deaths where the deceased reached state pension age before 6 April 2016), 50 to 100 percent of additional State Pension is inheritable depending on the deceased's date of birth. Under the new State Pension, half of the protected payment is inheritable in specific circumstances. The full standard new State Pension is not inheritable; it is based on the survivor's own record.
What benefits can a widow over 70 claim?
State Pension (including any inheritance from the deceased's pension), Pension Credit (means-tested, for low-income pensioners), Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit (if renting), Council Tax Reduction (where the local authority operates one), free TV licence (over 75s on Pension Credit), Winter Fuel Payment (eligibility narrowed since 2024), Cold Weather Payments, and Warm Home Discount in most cases.
Is bereavement support payment available to people over state pension age?
No. Bereavement Support Payment is only available to surviving spouses or civil partners who were under state pension age at the date of the deceased's death. The rationale is that pensioners are supported through the State Pension and Pension Credit system rather than through a separate bereavement payment.
