Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992

38 Widow’s pension [F1 : deaths before 9 April 2001]. E+W+S

[F2 (A1) This section applies only in cases where a woman's husband has died before 9 April 2001.]

(1) A woman who has been widowed shall be entitled to a widow’s pension at the rate determined in accordance with section 39 below if her late husband satisfied the contribution conditions for a widow’s pension specified in Schedule 3, Part I, paragraph 5 and either—

(a) she was, at the husband’s death, over the age of 45 but under the age of 65; or

(b) she ceased to be entitled to a widowed mother’s allowance at a time when she was over the age of 45 but under the age of 65.

(2) The widow shall not be entitled to the pension for any period after she remarries [F3 or forms a civil partnership], but, subject to that, she shall continue to be entitled to it until she attains [F4 pensionable age].

(3) A widow’s pension shall not be payable—

(a) for any period falling before the day on which the widow’s entitlement is to be regarded as commencing for that purpose by virtue of section 5(1)(k) of the Administration Act;

(b) for any period for which she is entitled to a widowed mother’s allowance; F5 ... [F6 or]

[F7 (c) for any period during which she and a person whom she is not married to, or in a civil partnership with, are living together as a married couple.]

(4) In the case of a widow whose late husband died before 11th April 1988 and who either—

(a) was over the age of 40 but under the age of 55 at the time of her husband’s death; or

(b) is over the age of 40 but under the age of 55 at the time when she ceases to be entitled to a widowed mother’s allowance,

subsection (1) above shall have effect as if for “45" there were substituted “40”.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 38 heading inserted (6.4.2017) by Pensions Act 2014 (c. 19), s. 56(1), Sch. 16 para. 11(3); S.I. 2017/297, art. 3(2) (with arts. 4, 5)

F2 S. 38(A1) inserted (6.4.2017) by Pensions Act 2014 (c. 19), s. 56(1), Sch. 16 para. 11(2); S.I. 2017/297, art. 3(2) (with arts. 4, 5)

F3 Words in s. 38(2) inserted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 263(8)(d), Sch. 24 para. 19(2); S.I. 2005/3175, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

F4 Words in s. 38(2) substituted (6.12.2018) by Pensions Act 2007 (c. 22), s. 13(3), Sch. 1 para. 40

F5 Word in s. 38(3)(b) repealed (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 263(10)(b)(d), Sch. 30; S.I. 2005/3175, art. 2(6)

F6 Word in s. 38(3) inserted (E.W.) (13.3.2014) by The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 (Consequential and Contrary Provisions and Scotland) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/560), art. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 22(4); and inserted (S.) (16.12.2014) by The Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2014 and Civil Partnership Act 2004 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/3229), art. 1(2), Sch. 4 para. 2(4)(a)

F7 S. 38(3)(c) substituted for s. 38(3)(c)(d) (E.W.) (13.3.2014) by The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 (Consequential and Contrary Provisions and Scotland) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/560), art. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 22(4); and substituted (S.) (16.12.2014) by The Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2014 and Civil Partnership Act 2004 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/3229), art. 1(2), Sch. 4 para. 2(4)(b)