Widows Pension Ireland: Bereaved Partner's Pension 2026

The Widow's Pension in Ireland is now called the Bereaved Partner's (Contributory) Pension. Since 21 July 2025 it has been open to widows, widowers, surviving civil partners and surviving qualified cohabitants, and it depends on PRSI contributions, not on your income or savings. In 2026 the personal rate is €259.50 a week, rising to €299.30 from age 66, plus extra for children.

The rates below come from the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 as revised to January 2026. The Department of Social Protection (DSP) decides each claim, so use this page to know what to ask, then confirm your own case with the DSP.

What is the Bereaved Partner's Pension?

It is a weekly payment for a person whose husband, wife, civil partner or qualified cohabitant has died. The old name, "Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Pension", was replaced by the Social Welfare (Bereaved Partner's Pension and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2025, which took effect on 21 July 2025.

There are two versions:

• Contributory: based on social insurance (PRSI) contributions. Not means tested, so your earnings, savings and property do not reduce it.
• Non-contributory: for people whose record does not meet the contribution test. It is means tested.

If you can qualify for the contributory pension, it is usually the better route, because working or saving does not reduce it.

Who qualifies for the contributory pension?

Under section 124A of the Act, you qualify if the contribution conditions in section 125 are met. They can be met on your record or on your late partner's, but not by adding the two together. The record being used needs:

• at least 260 paid contributions since the person first entered insurance, and
• where they entered insurance four or more years earlier, a yearly average of at least 39 over the last 3 contribution years (or 5 years, where their record warrants it), or an average of at least 48 a year over their whole insurance record.

The law also lets you qualify if your late partner was getting, or would have been entitled to, the State Pension (Contributory). Regulations allow a reduced rate where the record falls a little short, so a thin record is worth checking rather than assuming you are out.

If your late partner was self-employed, or you were separated or divorced, the rules can be more complicated. Ask the DSP before you decide not to claim.

Can an unmarried partner claim?

Yes, since the 2025 change. Section 123A defines a qualified cohabitant as one of two adults in an intimate and committed relationship as a couple for:

• 5 years or more, or
• 2 years or more, if there are children of the relationship.

The Act also covers some people whose relationship had ended no more than two years before the death. The DSP decides each case on its facts, so gather evidence of how long you lived together as a couple.

For a cohabitant, the pension is payable from 22 January 2024 or the date of death, whichever is later. So if your partner died after that date and you were told you could not claim because you were not married, it may be worth asking again.

How much is it in 2026?

These are the weekly rates in Schedule 2 of the Act, as revised for January 2026.

Check the current rates on gov.ie before you rely on these figures. Rates are set in the October budget and normally change in January, so the 2027 figures may differ.

What is the €8,000 Bereaved Parent Grant?

The Bereaved Parent Grant is a one-off payment of €8,000 for a bereaved partner who has a qualified child living with them at the date of death. A child born within 10 months of the death also counts. Under section 137 you must be getting one of a set of qualifying payments, which includes the Bereaved Partner's (Contributory) Pension with a child increase. The grant is exempt from tax.

What if I do not have enough contributions?

The Bereaved Partner's (Non-Contributory) Pension is means tested. The maximum personal rate in Schedule 4 is €254.00 a week for 2026. The DSP assesses your means, so the amount you get depends on your income and assets. Contributions do not matter for this version, so it can be worth applying even if the contributory pension is refused.

If your partner died because of a workplace accident or an occupational disease, a separate Death Benefit pension under the Occupational Injuries scheme may be payable to a bereaved partner. The 2026 weekly rate in Schedule 2 is €284.50. Tell the DSP at the start if work may have played a part.

Can I get it together with the State Pension?

Usually not both. Section 247 says that where more than one payment would be made for the same period, only one is paid, apart from exceptions in regulations. If you have a strong record of your own, the DSP can tell you which option is worth more.

How is it taxed?

The pension is taxable for income tax, but not for USC or PRSI. The DSP sends details of the payment to Revenue, so you do not need to declare it yourself. Revenue advises checking that it is included in any income tax return you file. If you also have a job or other income, ask Revenue how your tax credits will be applied.

How long do you have to claim?

Claim as early as you can. Under section 241, the pension is not normally paid for any period more than 6 months before the date of your claim, unless you had good cause for the delay. Waiting can cost you weeks of payments that you cannot get back.

When you apply, expect to be asked for:

• your PPS number and your late partner's
• the death certificate (see death registration in Ireland)
• a marriage or civil partnership certificate, or proof of living together if you were cohabitants
• birth certificates for children who depend on you

Use the application form and the document list on gov.ie, since the forms change.

When does the pension stop?

It stops from the date you marry or remarry, enter a civil partnership, or become a cohabitant with a new partner (section 124A). Tell the DSP straight away if that happens, so that you avoid an overpayment.

What to do next

1. Register the death and order several certified copies.
2. Check your late partner's PRSI record and your own, and gather proof of your relationship.
3. Send in your claim as soon as you can, ideally within 6 months of the death, even if some documents are still to come.
4. If money for the funeral is tight, read our guides to average funeral cost in Ireland, cremation cost in Ireland and how to access a deceased person's bank account.