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Written question asked by Thomas Docherty (Labour) on Wednesday, 15 October 2014, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 22 October 2014 (named day). A holding answer was provided on Wednesday, 22 October 2014. A substantive answer was provided by Anna Soubry (Conservative) on Tuesday, 18 November 2014 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Armed Forces: Pensions

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will estimate the cost to the public purse of enabling all armed forces' widows to retain their pension in the event of later cohabiting or remarrying.

Answer

We have decided to change both the Armed Forces Pension Scheme 75 (AFPS75) and the War Pension Scheme (WPS). The changes we have made will ensure that from 1 April 2015, widows, widowers and surviving civil partners of all members of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme will now retain their pensions for life, fulfilling the Government's ongoing commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant.

From 1 April 2015 the spouse or civil partner of all members of AFPS75 and any WPS widows will retain their pension for life if they have not already surrendered it due to remarriage or cohabitation.

For those who have already surrendered their pension due to remarriage or cohabitation, should that relationship end they can apply to have their pension restored for life.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
210696
Session
2014-15
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Armed forces Pensions Widowed people
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk