Widows Pension For Over 70 Calculator 2026
Instantly estimate your inherited State Pension (Category B) top-up. Understand how much extra weekly income you may be entitled to receive following the loss of your spouse.
Pension Details
Enter your current and late spouse’s State Pension to calculate your potential top-up
The amount you currently receive each week from your own State Pension.
The amount your late spouse was receiving (or entitled to) each week.
Choose how many decimal places to show in the financial results.
Your Inherited Pension
Estimated Category B top-up and total weekly income
Enter your pension details above and click Calculate Inherited Pension to see your potential top-up.
Inherited State Pension Components
A clear reference of the different parts of the State Pension you may be able to inherit from your late spouse if you are over State Pension age.
| Pension Component | Description | Inheritance Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Basic State Pension | The foundational weekly amount based on NI contributions. | You can inherit a Category B top-up to match your spouse’s basic amount if it’s higher. |
| Additional State Pension | Extra pension based on earnings (Pre-6 April 2016). | You can inherit 50% of your spouse’s Additional State Pension. |
| Protected Payment | Extra amount under the new State Pension (Post-2016). | You can inherit 50% of your spouse’s protected payment. |
| Bereavement Support | Payments for those under State Pension age. | Not applicable for those over 70 (you receive inherited State Pension instead). |
Widows Pension Over 70 FAQ
Everything you need to know about inheriting a State Pension, Category B top-ups, and DWP rules for widows over 70 in the UK.
For women who have reached State Pension age, the old ‘Widow’s Pension’ was replaced by the ability to inherit a portion of their late spouse’s State Pension. This is officially known as a Category B pension or an inherited Additional State Pension, which tops up your weekly income.
Yes. If you have reached State Pension age (which all over 70s have), you can inherit extra State Pension based on your late spouse’s National Insurance record. This ensures you receive the higher of the two basic State Pension amounts, plus a portion of any Additional State Pension they built up.
The Category B pension upgrades your basic State Pension to match your late spouse’s basic State Pension, if theirs was higher. Additionally, if they reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016, you may inherit 50% of their Additional State Pension. If they reached it after this date, you may inherit 50% of their ‘protected payment’.
No, you do not receive his entire pension. You will continue to receive your own State Pension, and you will inherit a portion of his (such as a top-up to match his basic pension or 50% of his Additional State Pension). The total amount you receive will be a combination of your own entitlement and the inherited portion.
When you register the death of your spouse, the DWP should automatically review your State Pension entitlement. However, it is highly recommended that you contact the Pension Service (0800 731 0469) to ensure they have correctly calculated and applied all inherited amounts, including the Category B top-up.
Yes, the State Pension is considered taxable income. Any increase you receive from inheriting your spouse’s pension (the Category B top-up or inherited Additional State Pension) will be added to your total taxable income and may affect your tax code.