Widow


A widow will be eligible for a survivors’ pension, if she meets the following conditions:

  1. She was married to, or was the common-law spouse of the deceased, who lived with him under one roof until his death for at least one year (or six months if she was age 55 or older and the time of his death).
  2. She had a child with the deceased.


A widow or a widower (who meet the definition) who have not yet reached the age of 40 and don't have children, are not entitled to a survivors pension and will be entitled to a one-time survivors grant.

A widow who lived separately from the deceased must meet one of the following conditions in addition to one of the above conditions:

  • The separation period was less than 36 months.
  • In the last year or part of the last year of the deceased’s life they had lived together.
  • During the last year, or part of the last year of the deceased’s life, he actually paid her alimony or was obligated to pay her alimony under a court judgment or a written agreement.
  • Before his death, he received an increment to his old age pension or his disability pension for her.

Important! Common-law spouses are defined by the law as a married couple. Therefore, if you live under the same roof as spouses without being formally married, you must immediately notify the National Insurance Institute of your arrangement. The lack of notification on your part may result in debts that you will have to repay.


Several widows of one deceased

If the deceased left more than one widow behind, the rights of each widow shall be assessed as if she was an only widow.
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