Bereaved Partner’s (Non-Contributory) Pension

Bereaved Partner’s (Non-contributory) Pension is a means-tested payment payable to a widow, widower, surviving civil partner or surviving qualified cohabitant who does not qualify for the Bereaved Partner’s (Contributory) Pension.

A person will be considered a qualified cohabitant for the purpose of the payment if the cohabiting couple lived together as a couple in an intimate and committed relationship for a period of:

• two years where there are children of the relationship or
• five years where there are no children of the relationship

This is a payment for widows, widowers, surviving civil partners or surviving qualified cohabitants who do not have dependent children. People with dependent children can apply for the One-Parent Family Payment or Jobseeker's Transitional Payment.

You may apply for the State Pension (Non-contributory) when you reach 66 years old. This pension is taxable, but you are unlikely to pay tax if it is your only income.

In the case of a surviving qualified cohabitant, Bereaved Partner’s (Non-contributory) Pension will be only payable in respect of deaths that occur on or after 21/07/2025.

To qualify, you must:

• be a widow, widower, surviving civil partner or surviving qualified cohabitant
• not be cohabiting with another person
• pass a means test
• be habitually resident in the State

Your rate of payment will depend on the outcome of the means test. The table below shows the maximum personal weekly rate of payment a person can receive if they have no income from any source.

The maximum amount payable is €244 weekly.

Pensions are paid weekly:

• at your local post office using your Social Services Card or Public Services Card or
• by direct payment into your current or deposit (savings) account in your selected financial institution

You can make an application at your local Intreo Centre or social welfare branch office.

If you live in the Republic of Ireland, you should complete the application form at the bottom of this page. Then send the completed form to:

Operational guidelines describe the processes and procedures that staff in the department follow when carrying out their work.

• Operational Guidelines: Bereaved Partner’s Non-Contributory Pension
• Operational Guidelines: Payment-related issues