Serving police officers have access to the 2015 police pension scheme, which provides life-long survivor benefits for spouses, civil partners and unmarried partners, including those who remarry or cohabit after losing a spouse. All eligible police officers have had an opportunity to join a pension scheme with life-long survivor benefits, since the introduction of the 2006 police pension scheme.

For officers who joined policing 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.

The 1987 police pension scheme is now a closed scheme, superseded by the 2015 scheme, and there are no plans to make further improvements to the benefits accrued under it.

I met with the National Association of Retired Police Officers in February, during which we discussed the campaign.

With reference to the response given to UIN 52060, there are currently no plans to make any further changes to benefits accrued in the 1987 police scheme.

The 1987 Police Pension Scheme provides survivor benefits to widows, widowers, and civil partners of police officers who die. In line with most public service pension schemes of that era, these benefits cease upon remarriage or cohabitation.

With the introduction of the 2006 and 2015 Police Pension Schemes, all eligible officers were able to join a pension scheme that provides life-long survivor benefits for spouses, civil partners and unmarried partners, including for those who remarry or cohabit after losing a spouse.

The 1987 police pension scheme is a closed scheme and there are no plans at this time to make any further improvements to benefits accrued in it.

The 1987 Police Pension Scheme provides survivor benefits to widows, widowers, and civil partners of police officers who die. In line with most public service pension schemes of that era, these benefits cease upon remarriage or cohabitation.

With the introduction of the 2006 and 2015 Police Pension Schemes, all eligible officers were able to join a pension scheme that provides life-long survivor benefits for spouses, civil partners and unmarried partners, including for those who remarry or cohabit after losing a spouse.

The 1987 police pension scheme is a closed scheme and there are no plans at this time to make any further improvements to benefits accrued in it.

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.

With the introduction of the 2006 and 2015 police pension schemes, all eligible police officers were able to join a pension scheme that provides life-long survivor benefits for spouses, civil partners and unmarried partners, including those who remarry or cohabit after losing a spouse.

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.

There are no plans at this time to make any further changes to benefits accrued in the 1987 police scheme.

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. With the introduction of the 2006 and 2015 police pension schemes, all eligible police officers were able to join a pension scheme that provides life-long survivor benefits for spouses, civil partners and unmarried partners, including those who remarry or cohabit after losing a spouse.

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.

There are no plans at this time to make any further changes to benefits accrued in the 1987 police scheme.

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.

With the introduction of the 2006 police pension scheme on 6 April 2006, all eligible police officers were able to join a pension scheme that provides life-long survivor benefits for spouses, civil partners and unmarried partners, including those who remarry or cohabit after losing a spouse.

Police pension schemes prior to the 2006 police pension scheme did not have life-long survivor benefits and any retrospective changes to those schemes would need to be fully costed and affordable.

There are no plans at this time to make any such changes to benefits accrued in previous schemes.

The beneficiaries of spouses who were members of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) who retired before January 2007 are required to complete an annual declaration confirming that they continue to be entitled to receive a survivor’s pension from the Scheme. This process was introduced in 2016 following the identification of a number of cases where entitlement under Scheme rules had ended due to the beneficiary remarrying, entering a civil partnership or living with another person as if married or in a civil partnership. These cases resulted in some significant overpayments needing to be repaid.

The possible impact of the letter on the recipient was considered when the process was established and is subject to discussion with the Teachers’ Pension Scheme Advisory Board, however the department considers that this preventative measure is proportionate and preferable to the alternative. The scheme administrator does not collect information on how many recipients are living with new partners as it is not necessary for the administration of the scheme.

The review referred to in The Guardian on 10 February 2024 was in relation to a separate data exercise where some details of a recipient of TPS benefits match those of a recorded death. This is a standard check carried out by pension scheme administrators to reduce instances of fraud and error leading to overpayments which ultimately cost the taxpayer if they cannot be recovered.

Teachers’ Pensions matches the data of beneficiaries and members who have a pension in payment annually with deaths recorded on the death register. Where there is a sufficiently strong match, the recipient is asked to complete a declaration of ongoing entitlement. The scheme administrator does not record incorrect data about the member from this match and the pension is only suspended if a declaration is not received within 28 days. This is to minimise any potential overpayment.

The review was an internal consideration of the processes and it was concluded that they remain appropriate, but that more detailed guidance on the Teachers’ Pensions website would be helpful for those who may be affected. Updated information is currently being prepared.

The beneficiaries of spouses who were members of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) who retired before January 2007 are required to complete an annual declaration confirming that they continue to be entitled to receive a survivor’s pension from the Scheme. This process was introduced in 2016 following the identification of a number of cases where entitlement under Scheme rules had ended due to the beneficiary remarrying, entering a civil partnership or living with another person as if married or in a civil partnership. These cases resulted in some significant overpayments needing to be repaid.

The possible impact of the letter on the recipient was considered when the process was established and is subject to discussion with the Teachers’ Pension Scheme Advisory Board, however the department considers that this preventative measure is proportionate and preferable to the alternative. The scheme administrator does not collect information on how many recipients are living with new partners as it is not necessary for the administration of the scheme.

The review referred to in The Guardian on 10 February 2024 was in relation to a separate data exercise where some details of a recipient of TPS benefits match those of a recorded death. This is a standard check carried out by pension scheme administrators to reduce instances of fraud and error leading to overpayments which ultimately cost the taxpayer if they cannot be recovered.

Teachers’ Pensions matches the data of beneficiaries and members who have a pension in payment annually with deaths recorded on the death register. Where there is a sufficiently strong match, the recipient is asked to complete a declaration of ongoing entitlement. The scheme administrator does not record incorrect data about the member from this match and the pension is only suspended if a declaration is not received within 28 days. This is to minimise any potential overpayment.

The review was an internal consideration of the processes and it was concluded that they remain appropriate, but that more detailed guidance on the Teachers’ Pensions website would be helpful for those who may be affected. Updated information is currently being prepared.

No assessment has been made. Widowed Parent’s Allowance is an income-replacement benefit. Entitlement to Widowed Parent’s Allowance ends on the formation of a new legal union or cohabiting partnership because that involves a change in the household composition and, consequently, household income. Universal Credit can provide ongoing assistance with living costs where further financial support is required.

My Lords, I pay tribute to the noble Baroness for all her work on this issue, as well as that of my noble friend Lady Fookes. The Ministry of Defence consulted the War Widows’ Association on this proposal, and I pay tribute to the association and its members for their candidness in discussions with Ministers and officials on this. I can confirm that the scheme will go live in winter 2023—this calendar year—and that we will absolutely work with the association, and with Veterans UK, to signpost to all those eligible how to apply for the scheme.

I thank the noble Lord very much for his Answer and his very welcome news for so many war widows, after so many years. He will know that the War Widows’ Association, senior members of which are below the Bar today, have given the Government’s announcement a welcome—a cautious welcome. They have asked that his department work with them into the future on matters of tax, terms and conditions, and the 13-page form that each of these quite elderly war widows will have to fill out. Can he also confirm the timeline for the new scheme as starting within this calendar year, as time is not on these ladies’ side?

I greatly appreciate the comments from my noble friend. She is absolutely right; this issue has taken a long time to consider. I accept that it has taken too long but, in light of this week’s announcement, the important thing is that everybody works together to make sure that those who have missed out and those who are entitled to the scheme get it as soon as possible.