HC Deb 17 November 1981 vol 13 c110W
Dr. Edmund Marshall

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services on what grounds a retirement pension received by a widow over the age of 60 years on the basis of her late husband's contributions is not affected by a subsequent remarriage.

Mr. Rossi

The conditions for receipt for retirement pension are essentially linked to the contingency of retirement or deemed retirement beyond a certain age; and once in hand the retirement pension is not affected by remarriage. However, the conditions for widows benefits below pension age are linked to the state of widowhood; and so such benefits cease on remarriage.

It is possible for a widow in receipt of a basic retirement pension, which happens to be less than the standard rate of a dependent wife's pension, to have it increased on remarriage to the level of dependent wife's pension in consequence of her second husband's insurance record.

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