§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will amend the teachers' superannuation scheme so that women teachers have the same right as male teachers to pass on to their spouse on death, benefit rights and entitlements accrued in respect of contributions paid prior to 1 April; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThe Scottish teachers' superannuation scheme is being amended to introduce widowers' benefits in respect of service undertaken by women teachers from 6 April 1988. The Social Security Act 1986 requires that, for service from this date, a widower will become entitled to a restricted pension of one half of the minimum pension of his spouse guaranteed for the purposes of contracting out of the state earnings-related pension scheme. However, after consultation with teachers' associations and employers, it has been agreed that, in respect of service after 6 April 1988, the teachers' scheme will go further than the statutory requirement and will provide widowers' benefits on the same basis as those currently available to widows. In order to cover service prior to that date it will be necessary, however, for those women teachers, who so choose, to make appropriate payments. This is because the contributions already paid do not reflect the cost of giving such a substantial improvement.