Pension Scheme for War Widows and Widowers

If one or more of the following circumstances apply to you, then you may be entitled to a tax-free War Widow's or War Widower's Pension:

Your spouse or civil partner died before 6 April 2005 as a result of their service in the HM Armed Forces, or during a time of war.
Your spouse or civil partner was receiving a War Pensions Constant Attendance Allowance at the time of their death (or would have been had they not been in hospital).
Your spouse or civil partner was a merchant seaman, a member of the naval auxiliary services, or a coastguard and their death was a result of an injury or disease they received during war or during a period where they were a prisoner of war.
Your spouse or civil partner died as a result of their service as a member of the Polish Forces under British command during the Second World War, or in the Polish Resettlement Forces.
Your spouse or civil partner was a civil defence volunteer or a civilian and their death was a result of the Second World War.
Your spouse or civil partner was getting a War Disablement Pension at the 80% rate or higher and was receiving an Unemployability Supplement.

Pension Rates and Allowances

The War Widow's or Widower's Pension may be paid out in one of two rates; you'll receive the higher rate if:

You are aged 40 or over
You are aged under 40 and are unable to support yourself financially.
You are aged under 40 and receiving an allowance for a child.
You are the widow, widower or surviving civil partner of an officer above the rank of Major or equivalent

If none of these circumstances apply to you, you will receive a lower rate until you reach age 40, when you'll get the higher rate pension. You may also receive additional allowances if:

Your spouse or civil partner was discharged from HM Armed Forces before 31 March 1973
You have children
You are aged over 65, 70 or 80
You have accommodation costs (only if you're receiving an allowance for a child with a War Widow's or Widower's Pension)

Changes to Your Circumstances

If you remarry or start to live with a partner, then you must inform the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency, as you will be no longer eligible for a War Widow or Widower's Pension. The only exception to this rule is if your late partner left service before 31 March 1973, and you remarry or start to live with a partner after 6 April 2005.

If changes to your circumstances have led to you becoming ineligible for a pension, you may request that it be restored again if any of the following apply: