§ Mr. Winnickasked the Lord Privy Seal what is the pension paid to a widow of a former Member whose late husband has served 15 years, 18 years and 20 years assuming that her husband, at date of death, was (a) under 65, and (b) over 65 years of age.
§ Mr. BiffenParliamentary pensions are calculated by reference to relevant terminal salary, length of service and, in certain circumstances, the Member's age. A widow's pension is one half the deceased Member's pension or notional pension.
The following table shows the widow's pension, rounded to the nearest pound, payable in respect of a Member who died in service on 12 March 1984 aged (a) not more than 58 years 4 months and (b) 65 years and over; having served 15 years, 18 years and 20 years.
£ per annum Service Age 15 years 18 years 20 years Not more than 58 years 4 months *2,756 *3,138 *3,392 65 years and over 1,908 2,290 2,544 * These calculations allow for the maximum permitted pensionable service enhancement to widows as provided for under section 2 of the Parliamentary Pensions Act 1978 where a serving Member dies before attaining age 65. Children's pension may be payable, in addition, at the same rate as the widow's pension where there are two or more eligible children; one-half that rate for one child.
During the first three months of widowhood following death in service the pension(s) would be augmented to the level of a Member's salary, £16,106 per annum.
In addition, the widow would receive a death gratuity equal to the Member's salary, £16,106.