Written question asked by David Rendel (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 1 February 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 4 February 1999. It was answered by Stephen Timms (Labour) on Thursday, 4 February 1999 on behalf of the Department of Social Security.

Dept of Social Security

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if widows who have had to choose between receiving widows pension, or receiving retirement penson without access to their and their husband's full national insurance contribution records, as a result of delays to the implementation of NIRS II, will be allowed to change their decision once the system is fully operational.

Answer: Mr. Rendel: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if widows who have had to choose between receiving widows' pension, or receiving retirement pension without access to their and their husband's full national insurance contribution records, as a result of delays to the implementation of NIRS2, will be allowed to change their decision once the system is fully operational. [69296] Mr. Timms: Where a widow has had to make the choice between remaining in receipt of Widow's Benefit, transferring to Retirement Pension or deferring her pension to accrue increments based on incomplete information because of the NIRS2 problems, and her choice is shown to be disadvantageous to her when full details are known, she will be able to review her decision and revise her choice from the original date if she so wishes.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 69296; 324 c781-2W
Session: 1998-99
Subjects: Software Computers Administrative delays Pensions National insurance contributions State retirement pensions Social Security Contributions Agency Widowed people