Leavers before 6 April 1978
In most cases, no widow’s pension is payable. If you are unsure, the Scheme Administrator will be able to confirm the benefits which would be due following your death.
Leavers after 6 April 1978
Widow’s pension
A widow will receive a pension of two-thirds of the member’s total weekly pension. If at the date of death, the member has been married for less than six months, widow’s benefits would be payable at the discretion of the Trustees.
Where an MPS member starts to receive pension before reaching age 60, it is payable at a lower rate, with an early retirement reduction. That early retirement reduction ends on his death and would not apply to the calculation of any pension payable to his dependants.
Once in payment, a widow’s pension is payable for life and will not cease should she re-marry.
Widower’s pension
Members who died on or before 5 April 1988
There is generally no entitlement to a pension for the widowers of female Scheme members who died on or before 5 April 1988. The Scheme Administrator will be able to confirm whether a pension is payable.
Members who died on or after 6 April 1988
Where a female Scheme member died on or after 6 April 1988, benefits are payable to her widower. The benefits payable are calculated in the same way as widow’s benefits.
Once in payment, a widower’s pension is payable for life and will not cease should he re-marry.