Parliamentary Search

Written question asked by Valerie Vaz (Labour) on Tuesday, 22 April 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 25 April 2025 (named day). It was answered by Diana Johnson (Labour) on Friday, 25 April 2025 on behalf of the Home Office.

Pensions: Widowed People

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what her policy is on police (a) widows, (b) widowers and (c) surviving partners losing deceased spouse pensions if they (i) remarry and (ii) cohabit.

Answer

The 2015 police pension scheme is the scheme currently open to serving police officers. This scheme provides life-long survivor benefits for spouses, civil partners and unmarried partners, including those who remarry or cohabit after losing a spouse. The introduction of the 2006 police pension scheme meant that all eligible police officers were able to join a pension scheme with such survivor benefits.

Prior to 2006, the 1987 police pension scheme provides a pension for the widow, widower or civil partner of a police officer who dies. In common with most other public service pension schemes of that time, these benefits cease to be payable where the widow, widower or civil partner remarries or cohabits with another partner. From 1 April 2015, the 1987 Police Pension Scheme was amended to allow widows, widowers and civil partners of police officers who have died as a result of an injury on duty to receive their survivor benefits for life regardless of remarriage, civil partnership or cohabitation.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
46708
Session
2024-26
Transferred
Yes
Subjects
Cohabitation Pensions Widowed people Remarriage
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk