Commentary on Sections Category B pensions
1196.A Category B retirement pension can consist of a basic retirement pension; or an additional retirement pension; or both. It is payable by virtue of a spouse’s qualifying years and earnings. It is paid to: married women; widows; widowers. In the case of a married woman a Category B pension consists of 60% of the spouse’s basic retirement pension. In the case of a widow or widower, a Category B pension may consist of a basic retirement pension of up to 100% of the spouse’s retirement pension (it may be combined with any Category A pension of the person’s own entitlement up to 100% of a full retirement pension payable to a single person). It may, with certain exceptions, also consist of half of a deceased spouse’s additional retirement pension.