Marriage Llowance

Cath9 I think what this meant was: If your DH was still alive was he going to transfer some of his personal allowance to you because his own income was well below his standard tax free amount (£12,570). This would only apply if his income was less than that.

This accords with what I posted from the government document I also linked to.

We always think of this transfer as being wives transferring personal allowances to husbands, on the assumption the husbands have bigger pensions than wives. But this need not be so.

oldfrill It applies to civil partners as well.

Many couples over 65 have one partner still working, or one receiving a much higher income (earned or unearned) than the other, so the ability to transfer part of the retired/lower income partner’s personal allowance is of value to them, though it’s not a lot.

Thanks all,
Just to clarify what I meant.
When I received my tax form of course asking for more tax than I had already paid! I read the conditions that allow one to be exempt from paying the full amount. One condition being if I was lucky enough to still have my dear husband alive i.e if I was married not a widow.
As I mentioned this started a few months after his death. Also. many of my age do not need the extra cash which is why I predict once one reaches 65 yrs of age this extra amount should no longer be available for those who are married.
I do agree that if one’s spouse dies when young this can also be difficult. I suppose working all this out, who is entitled and who isn’t, would cost us more.

Thanks MOnica. I thought this must be it, but the OP seems to be muddling various things.

DH has my allowance as I am below pension age.
Once I get State Pension I'll probably ask for it back, unless they put allowances up.
Only worth claiming if one spouse isn't earning, so useful for young stay at home parents.

Marriage Allowance lets you transfer £1,260 of your Personal Allowance to your husband, wife or civil partner. This reduces their tax by up to £252 in the tax year (6 April to 5 April the next year). To benefit as a couple, you (as the lower earner) must normally have an income below your Personal Allowance - this is usually £12,570.
Quote from www.gov.uk/marriage-allowance

Cath9, could you be more precise please?
I was not taxed differently when I was married.

I too am puzzled why you think life gets cheaper as we age!

If you have to buy incontinence pads etc.. for your spouse, you will be very glad of the little extra.

I don't see why age should come into it. It's up to £250 in tax savings a year if you qualify. I think it's more unfair that unmarried partners aren't eligible.

Whoops! I wondered where my first message went to!

Thanks Bsrleyfields, hopefully I am not correct.
I just read in my tax return of the conditions which enables one not to have to pay the full amount. One being if one is married. Along with blindness etc

Thanks Barleyfields, hopefully I do have it wrong.
I just noticed on my tax return of the amount one gets exempt for various conditions. One being if one is marrieddoesn’t have to pay amount one doesn’t have to pay if

I don’t understand. Marriage Allowance allows one spouse or civil partner to transfer part of their personal allowance to the other. It isn’t money the government gives you. Perhaps you mean Married Couples Allowance, but that only applies if one partner was born before 6/4/1935 so not something the younger generation (nor many of the older one) can claim.