The UK State Pension system changed significantly in April 2016. Rules for married couples and civil partners depend on when each spouse reaches State Pension age. This guide explains how State Pension works for couples, what you may inherit, and how to maximise your household pension.
State Pension: Individual, Not Joint
Each person claims their own State Pension based on their own National Insurance record. There’s no automatic “couples rate” or joint pension.
Key principle: Two spouses each need their own NI contributions to get a full pension.
Current Full State Pension (2026/27)
| Pension Type | Weekly Amount | Annual Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Full new State Pension | £230.25 | £11,973 |
| Maximum couple (both full) | £460.50 | £23,946 |
To get the full new State Pension: 35 qualifying years of NI contributions or credits.
Can You Use Your Spouse’s NI Record?
New State Pension (Reached Pension Age After 6 April 2016)
No. Under the new State Pension, you cannot claim a pension based on your spouse’s NI record. Each person needs their own qualifying years.
If you’ve been out of work:
- NI credits may help (caring for children under 12, claiming certain benefits)
- Voluntary NI contributions can fill gaps
- Your own NI record determines your pension
Old State Pension (Reached Pension Age Before 6 April 2016)
Different rules applied:
| Married to someone who reached SPA pre-2016 | You Can Claim |
|---|---|
| Basic State Pension (Category A) | Your own pension based on your NI |
| Category B pension (married rate) | Up to 60% of spouse’s basic pension if lower than your own |
| Category BL pension (widowed) | Up to 100% of spouse’s basic pension |
These rules only apply if you were married before the spouse reached pension age.
Inheriting State Pension When Widowed
What you can inherit depends on when your late spouse reached State Pension age.
If Late Spouse Reached SPA On or After 6 April 2016
You may inherit up to 50% of their “protected payment”:
- Protected payment = any pension above the full rate due to pre-2016 contributions
- You cannot inherit the basic new State Pension itself
- Inherited amount is added to your own pension
- You must have been married/civil partners at the time of death
Example:
- Late spouse’s pension: £250/week (£19.75 protected payment above full £230.25)
- You may inherit: 50% × £19.75 = £9.88/week
If Late Spouse Reached SPA Before 6 April 2016
You may inherit more:
| Component | Inheritable |
|---|---|
| Basic State Pension | Up to 100% (if you were married) |
| Additional State Pension (SERPS/S2P) | Up to 50-100% depending on their DOB |
| Graduated Retirement Benefit | 50% |
People whose spouse reached SPA before 2016 often inherit significantly more.
How to Claim
- Contact the Pension Service: 0800 731 0469
- Provide death certificate and marriage certificate
- Service will calculate inherited amount
- Pension adjusted from date of spouse’s death
NI Credits for Married Couples
Even if one spouse doesn’t work, they may build State Pension through credits:
Child Benefit NI Credits
- Claim Child Benefit in your name
- Receive Class 3 NI credits automatically
- Covers years caring for children under 12
- Applies to stay-at-home parent
Important: Only one parent gets credits from Child Benefit. Usually the person named on the claim.
Specified Adult Childcare Credits
If a grandparent or other family member provides childcare:
- They can receive NI credits transferred from the parent
- Parent must not need the credits themselves (e.g., already working)
- Apply via: gov.uk/specified-adult-childcare-credits
Carer’s Credit
If you care for someone 20+ hours/week:
- Receive Class 3 NI credits
- They must receive a qualifying benefit (DLA, PIP, AA)
- Builds towards State Pension
Pension Sharing on Divorce
State Pension elements can be divided on divorce through Pension Sharing Orders.
What Can Be Shared
| Element | Shareable? |
|---|---|
| Basic State Pension (pre-2016) | No |
| Additional State Pension (SERPS/S2P) | Yes |
| New State Pension foundation amount | Yes (depends on circumstances) |
| Protected Payment | Yes |
How Pension Sharing Works
- Court issues Pension Sharing Order as part of divorce
- Specifies percentage to transfer
- Creates Pension Credit for receiving spouse
- Debit taken from paying spouse’s pension
Things to Know
- Only covers additional/protected pension, not basic
- Both workplace and State Pensions can be considered
- Get CETV (Cash Equivalent Transfer Value) for workplace pensions
- Legal advice essential — pension splitting is complex
- Consider State Pension forecast before settlement
Pension Offsetting
Instead of sharing, the pension value may be offset against other assets:
- Keep full pension, give up more of house equity
- Requires accurate pension valuations
- Often simpler than pension sharing orders
Planning Together for Retirement
Check Both Forecasts
Both spouses should:
- Get State Pension forecast: gov.uk/check-state-pension
- Identify NI gaps
- Consider voluntary contributions to fill gaps
- Claim all available NI credits
Maximising Household Pension
| Situation | Strategy |
|---|---|
| One spouse below 35 years | Fill gaps with voluntary NI (£17.45/week in 2026/27) |
| Stay-at-home parent | Ensure Child Benefit in their name |
| Carer | Claim Carer’s Credit |
| Born before 6 April 1953 | Check if spouse’s record can help |
| Near State Pension age | Consider deferral for increases |
Pension Deferral
Deferring State Pension increases it by 5.8% per year:
| Deferral | Increase |
|---|---|
| 1 year | 5.8% higher pension for life |
| 2 years | 11.6% higher |
| 5 years | 29% higher |
Couples can coordinate deferral with other income (e.g., one draws, one defers).
Civil Partners
All rules for married couples apply equally to civil partners:
- Inheritance rights identical
- NI credits work the same
- Pension sharing on dissolution identical
No difference in State Pension treatment between marriage and civil partnership.
Common Questions
“My spouse never worked — will they get a pension?”
They may still get a pension through:
- NI credits from Child Benefit
- Carer’s Credit from looking after relatives
- Your inherited pension when widowed
Check their forecast — they may have more qualifying years than expected.
“We’re both below State Pension age — what should we do?”
- Both get State Pension forecasts
- Identify who has gaps
- Consider topping up the lower record with voluntary NI
- Ensure NI credits are maximised (childcare, caring)
- Plan withdrawal timing together
“My spouse earns more — does that help me?”
Not directly. Each pension is individual. However:
- Household can share income in retirement
- Higher earner could defer pension while lower earner draws
- Plan together for tax-efficient income
Useful Contacts
- Pension Service: 0800 731 0469
- State Pension forecast: gov.uk/check-state-pension
- NI record check: gov.uk/check-national-insurance-record
- HMRC (voluntary NI): 0300 200 3500
- MoneyHelper: 0800 138 7777
Related Guides
- Complete State Pension Guide — Everything about State Pension
- State Pension NI Gaps Guide — Filling contribution gaps
- Pension Tax Relief Guide — Tax benefits
- Complete UK Pension Guide — All pension types
- Retirement Planning Guide — When can you retire?
State Pension rules are complex, particularly for those bridging the 2016 transition. Get a personal forecast from gov.uk and contact the Pension Service for individual circumstances.