How Much Is Couples’ State Pension in the UK?

The UK State Pension provides financial support for retirees, but it is calculated on an individual basis, not as a joint amount for couples. This means that how much a couple receives depends on each person’s National Insurance (NI) contributions and which State Pension system they qualify for.

Many people assume that being married or in a civil partnership automatically increases their State Pension entitlement, but this is not always the case. This guide explains how much a couple can receive, how it’s calculated under the new and old State Pension rules and what options exist if one partner has a low or no pension entitlement.

As of April 2025, the maximum State Pension a couple can receive depends on whether they qualify for the new State Pension (post-2016) or the basic State Pension (pre-2016).

New State Pension (For Those Retiring After 6 April 2016)

• The full new State Pension is £221.20 per week per person.

• If both partners qualify for the full amount, they will receive £442.40 per week (£1,916.06 per month / £23,002.40 per year)

• If one partner has fewer than 35 years of NI contributions, they will receive a reduced amount.

Basic State Pension (For Those Who Reached Pension Age Before 6 April 2016)

• The full basic State Pension is £169.50 per week per person.

• If both partners qualify for the full amount, they will receive £339 per week (£1,469 per month / £17,628 per year)

• If one partner does not qualify for a full pension, they may be able to claim a lower-rate pension based on their spouse’s NI contributions (see next section).

What If One Partner Has a Low or No State Pension?

If one person in the couple doesn’t qualify for a full pension, there are different rules depending on which system they fall under.

Under the New State Pension System (Post-2016)

• Each person’s pension is based on their own NI contributions—you cannot inherit or claim from your spouse’s record.

• If you don’t have enough NI years, you may be able to pay voluntary contributions to increase your pension.

• You may qualify for Pension Credit if your combined income is low (see below).

Under the Basic State Pension System (Pre-2016)

• A lower-earning spouse may claim a pension based on their partner’s NI record.

• A married woman with no or low contributions may be eligible for a married woman’s pension of £101.50 per week (60% of her husband’s pension).

• A widow may inherit up to 100% of her late husband’s basic State Pension if she does not remarry.

If you’re unsure about your entitlement, check your State Pension forecast

Can Couples Get Extra Money from Pension Credit?

If a couple’s combined income is low, they may qualify for Pension Credit, a means-tested benefit that tops up income to a minimum level.

As of April 2025, the Pension Credit minimum guarantee is:

• £218.15 per week for a single person.

• £332.95 per week for a couple.

If your total weekly income is below these amounts, you can apply for Pension Credit to increase your payments.

What Happens If One Partner Dies?

If one partner passes away, the surviving partner may inherit part of their State Pension, but the rules depend on the system they were under.

If the Deceased Partner Was on the New State Pension (Post-2016)

• Inheritance is very limited.

• If they had Additional State Pension (SERPS or S2P), a portion may be inherited by their spouse.

• If they were deferring their pension, their spouse may receive a lump sum.

If the Deceased Partner Was on the Basic State Pension (Pre-2016)

• A surviving spouse may inherit up to 100% of their partner’s basic State Pension, depending on NI contributions.

• If the widow does not remarry, they can receive an increased amount.

How to Check How Much You Will Receive

If you and your partner want to know how much you will receive:

1. Check Your National Insurance Record

• See how many qualifying years you have

2. Get a State Pension Forecast           

• Use the government’s tool to see how much you’ll get and your State Pension age

3. Contact the Pension Service

• Phone: 0800 731 7898 (UK)

• International: +44 191 218 3600

Final Thoughts: How Much Is the Couples’ State Pension?

Each person’s pension is based on their own National Insurance contributions—there is no combined joint State Pension for couples.

The full new State Pension is £221.20 per week per person, meaning a couple can receive £442.40 per week (£23,002 per year) if both qualify.

The full basic State Pension is £169.50 per week per person, meaning a couple can receive £339 per week (£17,628 per year) if both qualify.

If one partner has low or no contributions, they cannot inherit pension rights under the new system but may qualify for Pension Credit.