§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to review the provision whereby widows lose their pension entitlement on remarriage both in terms of(a) the basic state pension and (b) occupational pensions. [5563]
§ Mr. McCartneyThere are no plans to change current provisions in regard to state pension for widows who remarry.
There is no requirement for occupational pension schemes to provide lifetime pensions for surviving spouses. Entitlement will depend on what is set out in the rules of each individual scheme. A number of public service schemes are currently considering the issue.