hi ken
'widow's benefit' is an umbrella term, a bit like 'bereavement benefits' only more generous.
widows allowance was payable in the first 6 months of widowhood, and was at a higher rate, with a lower contribution test - intended to ease the financial transition on death of a husband. it has been replaced with the lump sum bereavement payment. succeeeding benefits were based on late husband's contributions over his working life - the same calculation used for retirement pensions...and still used for bereavement benefits i believe...gaps in the contribution record are expressed as a percentage below 100% and must be a minimum of 25%. succeeding benefits were -
widowed mothers allowance - payable to widowed mothers responsible for children, increased by allowances for each dependant child.
widow's pension, used to be payable to widows over 50 at date of widowhood - this age was later increased to 55, not sure when (1987?) or when youngest child ceased to be dependant (age at end of WMA period)
age-related widow's pension was introduced way back for widows over 40 and under 50 without children at date of widowhood, or date WMA ceased (subsequently increased to 45 - 55) -the rates increase in age steps as ariadne describes, but do not increase for the beneficiary - her rate is determined by her age at the relevant date, and is fixed - it doesn't go up each birthday... i bet you wished you hadn't asked... : )
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