HC Deb 11 March 1999 vol 327 c344W
Mr. Drew

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the decision was taken to reduce the support available through SERPS to surviving spouses; and how this decision was published. [75683]

Angela Eagle

The Social Security Act 1986 reduced the amount of SERPS which a surviving spouse, who is widowed on or after 6 April 2000, can inherit from 100 per cent. to 50 per cent.

The intention to make this change was first publicised in the White Paper "Reform of Social Security—Programme for Action" (Cm 9691) in December 1985. The House debated the change during the passage of the Social Security Bill.

Details of the change have been published in DSS leaflets NP46 "A guide to Retirement Pensions" and NP45 "A guide to Widow's Benefits" since April 1996.

Mr. Drew

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations have been received by him on the decision to reduce the level of support through SERPS available to surviving spouses. [75684]

Angela Eagle

We recognise that there is concern regarding the level of public awareness about the reduction, from 100 per cent. to 50 per cent., in the amount of SERPS which a surviving spouse can inherit on or after 6 April 2000. We are actively looking at ways of raising public awareness of this change.