The Widow’s Pension was one of the oldest established part of the Social Security system in the United Kingdom. It was replaced by

Bereavement benefit In the United Kingdom, Bereavement Support Payments (also known as bereavement benefits) are paid to the husband/wife or partner of a person who has died in the previous 21 months. It replaced Bereavement Payment and Bereavement Allowance in April ...

in April 2001. Benefits for Widows were first established by the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Benefits Act 1925 at a rate of 10 shillings a week for life, to stop on remarriage. To get any benefit as a widow a woman had to be married to her husband, and be his only wife, at the time of his death. She was still entitled if separated or if a divorce had not reached the stage of decree absolute. All Widow's benefits stop on remarriage. The claimant had to be over 45 but under 65 either when their husband died or when their Widowed Mother’s Allowance stopped. There was also an entitlement an earnings related component. Widows under 55 when their husband died or when they ceased being entitled to Widowed Mother’s Allowance got a reduction is 7% for each year they were below 55. Widow’s Pension lasted until retirement and was taxable. It counted in full for all

Means-tested benefit A means test is a determination of whether an individual or family is eligible for government benefits, assistance or welfare, based upon whether the individual or family possesses the means to do with less or none of that help. Means testing is ...

s. It was possible to get

Incapacity Benefit Incapacity Benefit was a British social security benefit that was paid to people facing extra barriers to work because of their long-term illness or their disability. It replaced Invalidity Benefit in 1995. The government began to phase out Inc ...

together with widow’s pension.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Widow's Pension Social security in the United Kingdom Widowhood in the United Kingdom

See also

References