Skip to main content

AI Summary of 125. Conditions for receipt.

The conditions for pension contributions state that the bereaved partner must have qualifying contributions for at least 260 weeks from their entry into insurance until the relevant time. If four or more years have passed since their entry, they must meet either of two yearly average requirements based on their contribution years. Should these criteria be unmet on the bereaved partner's record, they can be satisfied using the deceased partner's record instead. For deaths occurring before 27 December 2013, the required weeks are reduced to 156.

The regulations may permit modifications regarding the yearly average and conditions stated. They can also allow pension entitlement for those who fail to meet the contribution condition, although payable pension rates may be less favourable. Specific regulations will address entries into insurance linked to certain legislative changes, with the entry date considered most beneficial for those transitioning from employed to self-employed status post-6 April 1988.

Version status: In force | Document consolidation status: Updated to reflect all known changes
Version date: 21 July 2025 - onwards
Version 5 of 5

125. Conditions for receipt.

(1) The contribution conditions for pension are -

(a) that the bereaved partner has qualifying contributions in respect of not less than 260 contribution weeks in the period beginning with his or her entry into insurance and ending immediately before the relevant time, and

(b) that, where at the relevant time, 4 years or longer has elapsed since the bereaved partner's entry into insurance -

(i) the yearly average for the 3 contribution years, or (where warranted by his or her insurance record) 5 contribution years, ending with the end of the last complete contribution year before the relevant time is not less than 39, or

(ii) the yearly average in respect of the period commencing at the beginning of the contribution year in which his or her entry into insurance occurred and ending at the end of the last complete contribution year before the relevant time is not less than 48,

but, where those conditions are not satisfied on the bereaved partner's insurance record, they may be satisfied on his or her deceased partner's insurance record, (the bereaved partner's insurance record being disregarded).