597.These provisions amend section 17 of the Pension Schemes Act 1993 and are consequential upon the introduction of new bereavement benefits under the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999*. The relevant provisions in the 1999 Act are expected to be brought into force from 5 April 2001. Sub-paragraph (1) inserts new subsection (4A) in section 17.
New subsection (4A)(a) provides that the scheme must provide a Guaranteed Minimum Pension (GMP) for the widow or widower for any period for which a Category B pension is payable by virtue of the earner’s contributions, or would have been payable but for the overlapping benefit provisions in section 43(1) of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992. This restates the existing law.
New subsection (4A)(b) ensures that a GMP is payable for any period for which Widowed Parents Allowance (WPA) or Bereavement Allowance (BA) is payable to the widow or widower by virtue of the earner’s contributions.
New subsection (4A)(c) ensures that where a person ceases to be entitled to WPA or BA when over 45, that person will still continue to receive a GMP, provided that he or she is not cohabiting with a person of the opposite sex and provided that he or she has not remarried. Currently, a person entitled to bereavement benefits (widowed mother’s allowance or widow’s pension) when over the age of 45 continues to receive those benefits, and accordingly a GMP, until state pension age, unless he or she remarries or cohabits with a person of the opposite sex. New subsection (4A)(c) thus preserves the current position as regards GMPs despite the fact that the position as regards entitlement to bereavement benefits is to change.
598.Sub-paragraphs (2) and (3) make minor amendments designed to ensure that people whose entitlement to bereavement benefits continues under the existing law also continue to be entitled to GMPs under the existing law.
Part II: Pensions. Commentary on Sections Schedule 5 Paragraph 1: Guaranteed minimum for widows and widowers