Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992

52 Special provision for surviving spouses

(1) This section has effect where, apart from section 43(1) above, a person would be entitled both—

(a) to a Category A retirement pension; and

(b) to a Category B retirement pension—

(i) under section 49 above by virtue of the contributions of a husband who has died; or

(ii) under section 51 above.

(2) If by reason of a deficiency of contributions the basic pension in the Category A retirement pension falls short of the full amount, that basic pension shall be increased by the lesser of—

(a) the amount of the shortfall, or

(b) the amount of the basic pension in the rate of the Category B retirement pension,

“full amount” meaning for this purpose the sum specified in section 44(4) above as the weekly rate of the basic pension in a Category A retirement pension.

(3) If the additional pension in the Category A retirement pension falls short of the prescribed maximum, that additional pension shall be increased by the lesser of—

(a) the amount of the shortfall, or

(b) the amount of the additional pension in the Category B retirement pension.

(4) This section does not apply in any case where the death of the wife or husband, as the case may be, occurred before 6th April 1979 and the surviving spouse had attained pensionable age before that date.