The SERPS stands for the State Earnings-Related Pension Scheme. As an addition to the state Pension, it carried that name until 5 April 2002 when it became known as the State Second Pension. While you, or your spouse or civil partner, have been working, you may have paid National Insurance contributions into SERPS as well as into your basic State Pension. There are also some conditions which allow the person’s SERPS to be inherited by spouse or civil partner when the individual dies.
           
There were some fairly recent changes in SERPS Pension. In some circumstances the amount of SERPS Pension a surviving spouse or civil partner can inherit may be less than the maximum percentage. There is a set maximum to the amount of a SERPS that any person can receive. Also, the amount of SERPS Pension you can inherit when you reach State Pension age will be reduced if either:

• You were receiving Bereavement Allowance at less than full rate, or
• You were under 55 when your Widowed Parent’s Allowance ended.

These changes may affect you if:

• You are over State Pension age when your husband dies; you can receive his pension right away.
• You are under State Pension age and receive Widowed Parent’s Allowance; you will receive your late husband’s pension right away.
• You are under State Pension age and your entitlement to Widowed Parent’s Allowance stops, your payment of SERPS will also stop. It will be restored once you reach the required age.
• If you are under State Pension age and are entitled to Bereavement Allowance, you will receive your late husband’s SERPS Pension only when your reach the state pension age.

There are many stipulations which affect the percentage of what will be received. The best way to obtain a clear definition of them all is to request an appointment with a representative. It really isn’t advisable, especially during this delicate time, to attempt full understanding based on your own interpretation.

If your spouse or civil partner had put off claiming their State Pension before they died, and their pension includes SERPS the share of the extra State Pension or lump sum payment you may be able to inherit for the SERPS component is worked out in much the same manner.

This discussion provided a small amount of insight to get you going but clear understanding is needed before warranting an exact course of action. If you have the slightest difficulty in understanding  the guidelines, make every effort for clarification before you extend yourself.