Who is not eligible for a State Pension?

Who Can’t Claim the State Pension?

Contrary to what some believe, being married or in a civil partnership doesn’t disqualify you from receiving the State Pension. In fact, relationship status has no direct impact on your eligibility. The real factors determining whether you can claim the State Pension are your National Insurance record, age, and residency history.

Eligibility is based on your contributions—you typically need at least 10 years of National Insurance contributions to qualify for any State Pension, and 35 years to get the full amount. If you’ve gaps in your record, you may be able to make voluntary payments, depending on your circumstances.

There are exceptions, though. People who reached State Pension age before April 2016 fall under the “old rules,” where married individuals could sometimes claim based on their spouse’s National Insurance record—particularly women who didn’t pay enough contributions themselves. But under the current system, introduced in 2016, each person’s entitlement is based on their own record, regardless of marital status.

Some people are genuinely not eligible—such as those who’ve lived or worked abroad for long periods without paying UK National Insurance, or individuals who’ve never contributed and don’t qualify for credits. Prisoners and certain individuals serving long-term sentences may also be excluded.

It’s also important to note that simply living in the UK isn’t enough—you must meet the contribution requirements. And while you can defer claiming your pension for a higher payout later, you can’t claim it at all without meeting the minimum criteria.

The key takeaway? Marriage doesn’t block your pension access. Lack of contributions does.