These Regulations are made under section 89(1) of the Social Security Act 1986 (“the 1986 Act”). They are consequential upon the coming into force of section 36 of the 1986 Act. As they are made earlier than 12 months from the commencement of that provision, they are exempted by section 61(5)(b) of the 1986 Act from reference to the Social Security Advisory Committee and are made without being so referred.

Section 36 of the 1986 Act provides for the replacement of widow’s allowance (a weekly benefit) with a widow’s payment (a lump sum payment), and for widow’s pension to be payable from a later age.

• These Regulations contain savings for existing beneficiaries to both widow’s allowance and widow’s pension.