396.Subsection (1) inserts new section 46(3) in the Contributions and Benefits Act. It corrects the method of calculating SERPS Additional Pension which someone, who (at some point in the past) had received Widowed Parent’s Allowance or Bereavement Allowance, can inherit from their deceased spouse when they reach state pension age. The correction is necessary to restore the policy intention that no-one will receive less Additional Pension with their Category B pension (based on their late spouse’s contributions) than they would have done before the introduction of the new Bereavement Benefits, which are due to come into effect in April 2001. There is a similar provision for State Second Pension in paragraph 1(5) – (7) of new Schedule 4A of the Contributions and Benefits Act as inserted by Schedule 4 of this Act.
397.Subsections (2) and (3) make consequential amendments to section 48BB(5) of the Contributions and Benefits Act and paragraph 5 of Schedule 8 to the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999.
Part II: Pensions. Commentary on Sections State second pension Section 32: Calculation of Category B retirement pension