The aim of this introduction is to give you an oversight of the different pensions paid by the MOD to the widow(er)s and partners of service personnel. You will see that there are three systems currently in operation - which means that it is difficult to assess easily whether you are receiving the right benefits. If you are in any doubt, you should seek help from those who are expert in the field. Also, we hope that if you speak to other service widows these notes will help you understand why they may not be receiving the same benefits as you.
There are currently 3 schemes in operation, which you may encounter each has been frequently amended with changes that do not have retrospective effect, so it is impossible here to give you an absolute and unequivocal description from which scheme your pension arises and how much money you will receive. The decision as to which scheme applies to you will be driven by when your husband served, when he died, and what caused or contributed to his death. Finally, the actual amount paid under each scheme will also be affected by your husband's rank. All the schemes make payment to "survivors", that is spouses, recognised partners and dependant children - subject to the rules of each scheme.
This Association has no responsibility for the payment of War Widows Pensions. All queries concerning the payment of individual pensions should be referred to the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency (SPVA):
Whilst the Association is always willing to answer questions it cannot help with individual applications for War Widows Pensions. Help can be obtained via the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency head office, details of the local Veterans Welfare office can be found in the telephone directory.
Information and assistance for appeals against decisions against claimants can be obtained via the Pensions Appeals Office, The Royal British Legion, c/o 199 Borough High Street London SE1 1AA or 020 3207 2164.
If you have any further enquires regarding your pension do contact us so we can help to direct you to the correct agency.
For more information download our Pensions fact sheet.