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As explained in the State pension guidance note, individuals who reached state pension age before 6 April 2016 could defer claiming their ‘old’ state pension and, as long as they deferred claiming it for 12 months or more, they can claim a lump sum at the time of starting to claim a regular pension. Alternatively, they can claim a higher regular state pension if they so wish.

Under the ‘new’ state pension rules (for those reaching state pension age from 6 April 2016), it is still possible to defer claiming but not to claim a lump sum ― the only option is to claim a higher regular state pension.

The old state pension also included provision for a surviving spouse or civil partner on the death of the pensioner, whereas (subject to some transitional provisions) the new state pension is predicated on individuals building up their own discrete entitlement.

The purpose of this guidance note is to consider what happens to deferred old (pre-6 April 2016) state pensions on the death of