Explanatory note

These Regulations amend the Social Security (Widow’s Benefit and Retirement Pensions) Regulations 1979 (“the principal Regulations”). Minor amendments are made to regulations 5(1) and 7(6) of the principal Regulations (regulation 2(2) and (3)). The age over which a widow is entitled to a Category C retirement pension and a benefit corresponding to a widow’s pension is amended from 40 to 45 and the age under which a widow receives such a benefit at a reduced rate is amended from 50 to 55 (regulation 2(4) and (5)). Regulation 16 of the principal Regulations is modified so that widows with children under 19 who are not receiving full-time education are no longer entitled to widowed mother’s allowance (regulation 2(5)).

Regulation 3 contains different provisions for those women entitled to widowed mother’s allowance by virtue of regulation 16 of the principal Regulations where the date of death of the husband was before 11th April 1988.

Regulation 4 contains savings for existing beneficiaries of both Category C retirement pensions and benefit corresponding to widow’s pension.