Calculate partner pension

The calculation of a partner pension depends on when the claim was lodged.

Claim lodged: Calculation impacts:
On or after 5 April 2010

Overtime and shift allowances included in PIAWE for first 52 weeks

Total pension amounts capped at twice the State average weekly earnings (TSAWE) for the relevant payment period

Before 5 April 2010

Overtime and shift allowances included in PIAWE for first 26 weeks

Total pension amounts capped at the relevant:

  • average weekly earnings (AWE) for the payment period up to 31 October 2020

  • TSAWE for payment period from 1 November 2020

See: Indexation of entitlements (weekly pensions)

If there is more than one dependent partner, they are paid an equal share of the total partner pension amount.

Unless pensions are capped, dependent children receiving a pension do not affect a partner’s weekly pension rate.

Claim lodged on or after 5 April 2010

First 13 weeks from date of death

The pension amount for a dependent partner is the lesser of:

  • 95% of the deceased worker’s PIAWE or

  • the capped amount of TSAWE

After the end of 13 weeks

After 13 weeks, and until the end of three years following the date of death, the pension amount for a dependent partner is the lesser of:

  • 50% of the deceased worker’s PIAWE or

  • the capped amount of TSAWE.

After the expiry of the first 52 weeks, overtime and shift allowances are no longer included in the calculation of PIAWE.

Capped weekly rate of a partner's pension

If the total weekly pensions calculated for all dependants exceeds the capped amount of TSAWE, pension amounts are adjusted to keep them within the capped amount.

When this occurs, adjust the partner pension amount as follows:

For pension periods on or after 1 November 2020
Number of dependent children Total amount of pension payable to the partner(s)
No dependent children TSAWE
4 or less dependent children

TSAWE x 50/(50+12.5N)

(where N is the number of dependent children entitled)

5 or more dependent children 50% of TSAWE

 

For pension periods up to 31 October 2020
Number of dependent children Total amount of pension payable to the partner(s)
No dependent children TSAWE
5 or less dependent children

TSAWE x 50/(50+5N)

(where N is the number of dependent children entitled)

More than 5 dependent children 2/3 of TSAWE
Claim lodged before 5 April 2010

First 13 weeks from date of death

The pension amount for a dependent partner is the lesser of:

  • 95% of the deceased worker’s PIAWE or

  • the capped amount of:

After the end of 13 weeks

After 13 weeks, and until the end of three years following the date of death, the pension amount for a dependent partner is the lesser of:

  • 50% of the deceased worker's PIAWE or

  • the capped amount of:

    • AWE for pension periods up to 31 October 2020 or

    • TSAWE for pension periods from 1 November 2020.

Capped weekly rate of a partner's pension

If the total pensions calculated for all dependants exceeds the capped amount, pension amounts are adjusted to keep them within the capped amount. When this occurs, adjust the partner pension amount as follows:

For pension periods on or after 1 November 2020
Number of dependent children Total amount of pension payable to the partner(s)
No dependent children TSAWE
4 or less dependent children

TSAWE x 50/(50+12.5N)

(where N is the number of dependent children entitled)

5 or more dependent children 50% of TSAWE

 

For pension periods up to 31 October 2020
Number of dependent children Total amount of pension payable to the partner(s)
No dependent children AWE
5 or less dependent children

AWE x 50/(50+5N)

(where N is the number of dependent children entitled)

More than 5 dependent children 2/3 AWE