Category: Group life · Reviewed by Chrissie Anderson, Client Executive · Last reviewed 2026-06-10
A spouse’s pension is a regular income paid to the surviving legal spouse or civil partner of a deceased member of a pension scheme. The pension is typically calculated as a fraction (commonly 50% or 2/3) of the deceased’s pension entitlement at the date of death or at scheme normal retirement age. It is a sub-set of the more general “dependants’ pension”.
Category: Group life Also known as: Widow’s pension, widower’s pension, partner’s pension Typical fraction: 50% or 2/3 of deceased’s pension Related concepts: Dependants’ pension, Death in service benefit
The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 and the Civil Partnership Act 2004 extend the spouse’s pension entitlement to same-sex spouses and to civil partners. Many modern scheme rules also extend cover to financially dependent unmarried partners on a discretionary basis. The spouse’s pension is normally indexed to inflation (capped, typically, at 5% or by reference to RPI/CPI).
The pension is paid under the trust deed and rules of the pension scheme. Tax treatment is governed by Part 9 of ITEPA 2003 (taxable as pension income on the recipient). The Pensions Act 2004 protects accrued pension rights including spouse’s pensions through the Pension Protection Fund where the employer becomes insolvent.
DB scheme spouse’s pensions are normally a defined fraction of the deceased’s pension. DC schemes provide spouse’s pensions only where the deceased had purchased an annuity with a spouse’s pension component, or where the survivor is using flexi-access drawdown of the deceased’s fund. Group life schemes occasionally include a spouse’s pension component but most modern arrangements use the lump sum mechanism.
A DB scheme member with accrued pension of £24,000 dies; the scheme provides a 2/3 spouse’s pension. The surviving spouse receives an annual indexed pension of £16,000, payable for life. The pension is taxed as PAYE income on the recipient and includes (where relevant) a 50% statutory underpin under the Pensions Act 1995.
This entry is part of the Apex Insurance Wiki. Last reviewed by Matt Bartlett on 2026-06-10. Next review: 2026-12-10.
Apex Insurance Brokers Limited. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, FRN 724952. Registered in England and Wales, Companies House 07014570. This entry provides general information about UK insurance concepts and is not regulated advice. Consult your insurance broker on your specific position.
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