State Pension for Married Couples: Rules and Entitlements

How the New State Pension Works for Married Couples

Under the new State Pension system, which applies to anyone reaching State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016, each person’s pension is based entirely on their own National Insurance record. Marriage or civil partnership does not allow you to use your spouse’s NI record to increase your own entitlement.

This represents a significant change from the old system, where a married person (typically a wife who had not worked) could claim a basic State Pension of up to 60% based on their spouse’s contributions. Under the new rules, both partners must build their own NI record through paid contributions or credits.

If both partners have 35 qualifying years, each will receive the full new State Pension of £230.25 per week in 2026/27, giving the couple a combined total of £460.50 per week (£23,946 per year).

Combined State Pension Income for Couples

Understanding what you and your partner will receive as a couple is essential for retirement planning. Here is how combined income looks at different levels of qualifying years:

The Old State Pension Rules for Married Couples

If you or your spouse reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016, the old State Pension rules apply. These rules were more favourable to married couples in certain situations.

The Married Woman’s Pension

Under the old system, a married woman who had an insufficient NI record could claim a basic State Pension of up to 60% of her husband’s full basic State Pension. For 2026/27, the full old basic State Pension is £176.45 per week, so 60% amounts to £105.87 per week. This entitlement only applied once both spouses had reached State Pension age.

This provision was not available to men claiming on their wife’s record until recent years, when equal treatment rules were introduced. Civil partners also have the same rights.

Additional State Pension (SERPS/S2P)

Under the old system, couples could also build up Additional State Pension (formerly SERPS, later State Second Pension or S2P). When one spouse died, the surviving spouse could inherit up to 50% of the deceased’s Additional State Pension entitlement. This inheritance right still applies to amounts built up before April 2016, even if the surviving spouse is on the new State Pension.

What Happens When a Spouse or Civil Partner Dies

The rules on inheriting State Pension depend on which system each spouse is under and what type of pension was built up. For a detailed guide on this topic, see our article on what happens to your State Pension when your spouse dies.

Inheriting Under the New State Pension

Under the new State Pension, you may be able to inherit a portion of your deceased spouse’s pension if they had a “protected payment” – an amount above the standard full new State Pension. You may also be able to inherit up to 50% of any Additional State Pension they built up before April 2016.

You cannot inherit any of their basic new State Pension entitlement (the main part based on NI qualifying years). Survivor benefits are generally only available if you have not remarried or formed a new civil partnership before reaching State Pension age.

Inheriting Under the Old State Pension

If your spouse was on the old system, you may be able to inherit up to 50% of their Additional State Pension (SERPS/S2P). You may also be able to use their NI record to increase your own basic State Pension if your own record gives you less than 60% of the full amount.

Divorce and the State Pension

Divorce affects State Pension entitlements differently under each system:

New State Pension and Divorce

Under the new State Pension, divorce has limited impact because each person’s pension is based on their own NI record. However, during divorce proceedings, the court can issue a pension sharing order that splits Additional State Pension (SERPS/S2P) rights built up before April 2016 between the divorcing parties. The new State Pension itself cannot be subject to a pension sharing order.

Old State Pension and Divorce

Under the old system, divorce could have a more significant impact. A pension sharing order could split Additional State Pension rights. Additionally, a divorced person could substitute their former spouse’s NI record for their own for the period of the marriage if it gave them a higher basic State Pension. This is known as a “pension substitution” and is still available for those on the old system.

NI Credits and Married Couples

Several types of NI credits are particularly relevant to married couples and can help the lower-earning partner build their State Pension:

• Child Benefit credits – The parent who claims Child Benefit receives NI credits automatically for each year until the child turns 12. If the higher earner claims Child Benefit but the lower earner provides the childcare, the credits can be transferred
• Specified Adult Childcare credits – If a grandparent or other family member provides childcare so the parent can work, the parent can transfer their NI credit to that person
• Carer’s credits – If one spouse cares for the other (or for another family member) for at least 20 hours per week, they may qualify for NI credits

Pension Credit for Married Couples

Pension Credit is a means-tested benefit that tops up your income in retirement. For married couples and civil partners living together, Pension Credit is assessed on joint income. The Guarantee Credit element ensures your combined income reaches at least £332.95 per week in 2026/27 (compared to £218.15 for a single person).

This means that as a couple, your combined State Pensions and other income are added together and compared against the couples’ threshold. If you fall below, Pension Credit tops you up. However, one important rule affects mixed-age couples – where one partner is below State Pension age and the other is above. In this situation, the couple generally cannot claim Pension Credit until both partners have reached State Pension age.

Planning as a Couple: Key Steps

1. Check both NI records – Each partner should check their NI record to see how many qualifying years they have
2. Get both forecasts – Request a State Pension forecast for each partner
3. Maximise the lower earner’s pension – Ensure the partner with fewer qualifying years is claiming all available NI credits and consider voluntary contributions if there are gaps
4. Consider the tax position – Two State Pensions plus other income may push one or both partners into higher tax brackets. See our guide on tax on State Pension
5. Review survivor benefits – Understand what the surviving partner would receive if one spouse dies, and plan other provision (life insurance, private pensions) accordingly