Forum Topic

War widow's pension rights?

Is it fair that war widows and widowers should give up their survivor's pension if they remarry, co-habit or enter into a civil partnership? For years now, the War Widows' Association has campaigned for the rules to be altered in favour of retaining pensions when surviving widows remarry. Which is fair?

Gerry Tan ● 4105d5 Comments

That's sort of how I feel Bob but means testing seems to rub against the grain for many, but I'm unsure why especially now child benefit is means tested.

Keith Iddon ● 4104d

Surely the whole point of the War Widows pension is to provide for the dead soldiers wife and children as they have lost their breadwinner, If the wife remarries the assumtion would be the new husband would take on that responsibility and the pension would become redundant. I realise it does seem unfair but this all comes out of our tax money and besides,losing a loved one is always unfair.

Bob Little ● 4104d

Unfair, but at least the situation is now improved.

Nigel Brooks ● 4104d

Thank you Nigel, I know that and we all know that the pensions won't be paid until April next year.  The question is is it fair that the pension was not given on re-marrying - I should have been clearer in my querying - forgive me. Whadya think?

Gerry Tan ● 4104d

Announcement of changes on the BBC Gerry.

Nigel Brooks ● 4104d