In order to receive the spouse’s pension, the spouses must have been married prior to the date on which the deceased individual turned 65. If the spouses have or have had a child together, the widow(er) is entitled to the pension.

If the spouses do not have a child together, the widow(er) is entitled to survivors’ pension, provided that: 

• (S)he was at least 50 years of age when the spouse died or (s)he has been at least three years on disability pension, and
• The couple was married before the widow(er) turned 50, and
• The marriage had lasted a minimum of five years.

For the purposes of the spouse’s pension, a registered partnership is considered equal to a marriage. A former spouse may also be eligible to receive survivors’ pension if the deceased individual has been liable to pay child support to the spouse. Cohabiting partners are not eligible for the spouse’s pension.

If the widow(er) remarries after the age of 50, the payment of the spouse’s pension will continue. In this case, the new marriage no longer provides eligibility for survivors’ pension.

If, however, the widow(er) remarries under the age of 50, the survivors’ pension is discontinued and he/she is paid a lump sum amount that is equal to three years of the spouse’s pension.

A child under the age of 20 is always entitled to the survivors’ pension upon the death of a parent or guardian. As far as a stepmother or stepfather is concerned, a child is only entitled to the orphan’s pension if (s)he lived in the same household when the stepmother or stepfather died. Pension is paid simultaneously for two deceased individuals at the most.

The child continues to receive the orphan’s pension until the end of the month in which he/she turns 20. However, Kela can also pay students over 18 a general survivors’ pension by virtue of the Survivors Pensions Act.