Upon reaching the age for an old age pension, recipients of a survivors' pension become entitled to old-age and survivors' pensions as follows:
Those who have accumulated the insurance period required by law (the qualifying period) are entitled to a full old-age pension and to half a survivors' pension.
Those who have not accumulated the insurance period required by law but are covered by old-age insurance, receive a full survivors' pension. When they complete the required insurance period, they receive a full old-age pension and half a survivors' pension.
A housewife who is receiving an old-age pension is not entitled to half a survivors' pension, although she can choose between an old-age pension and a survivors' pension upon reaching the age that entitles her to an old-age pension.
If a new immigrant couple immigrated to Israel after reaching the age of 60-62, according to their dates of birth, and one of them dies, the spouse continues to receive a special old age benefit (for an individual).
If a new immigrant immigrated to Israel after reaching the age of 60-62, according to his date of birth, and his wife immigrated before reaching the age of 60-62, according to her date of birth - upon her husband's death, the widow receives a special survivors’ benefit (according to the conditions of entitlement) until she reaches retirement age. Upon reaching retirement age, she receives an old-age pension as prescribed by law, which replaces the special survivors' benefit.
People who are entitled to a survivors' pension and another pension that is not an old age pension under the National Insurance Law
- A person who is entitled to both a survivors' pension and another pension under the National Insurance Law, such as a pension for dependents of a work injured person, a disability pension, a work disability pension, can only receive one pension and must choose one of them.
- If a person is entitled to a survivors' pension and becomes entitled to a disability pension, and he chooses the disability pension, the right to a survivors' pension can be renewed at retirement age.
- A person who is entitled to a survivors' pension and to a permanent work disability pension, is entitled to capitalize the disability pension (to receive the entire amount in cash).
- When there are more than two children who are entitled to a survivors' pension, and the surviving parent is receiving a disability pension, the children receive the higher of the two pensions (survivors or disability).
People who are entitled to a survivors' pension and to another pension under a law other than the National Insurance Law, due to the same event
A person who, due to the same event, is entitled to both a survivors' pension and another pension under laws specified below, must choose one of the two pensions, at his own discretion.
The relevant laws are: The Families of Fallen Soldiers (Benefits and Rehabilitation) Law, 5710-1950; the Police (Disabled and Killed) Law, 5715-1955; the Prison Service (Disabled and Killed) Law, 5720-1960; the Benefits for Victims of Hostilities Law, 5730-1970.
Survivors of a person who died as a result of a work accident or a hostile action
- The survivors of a person who died as a result of a work accident or a hostile action are entitled to a dependents’ benefit from the National Insurance Institute. In such a case, the entitled person must choose between a survivors’ pension and a dependents’ pension.
- An orphaned child who has lost both parents can receive two survivors’ pensions. If he is entitled to both a survivors’ pension and a dependents’ pension, he can choose between the dependents’ pension and two survivors’ pensions.
Third party claim
A person who is receiving a survivors’ pension and is suing a third party for compensation for damage that was caused (under the Torts Ordinance [New Version], or under the Compensation for Accident Victims Law) must notify the National Insurance Institute of the lawsuit. The NII is also entitled to sue the perpetrator of the damage.