PENSIONS FOR CIVIL SERVICE WIDOWS AND WIDOWERS

Early day motion 552, tabled 19 January 2005 by Clive Betts (Labour). Signed by 135 members.

That this House notes the deep concern expressed by pensioner organisations representing members of public sector schemes, at the treatment of the oldest and most vulnerable scheme members; agrees with the Civil Service Pensioners' Alliance that, in the Civil Service Pension Scheme, there is a clear disparity between 'classic' scheme provision and the improved provision available to newer pensioners; is concerned that the 'classic' scheme does not allow a pension for life for scheme members' widows and provides little or no income for widows of post-retirement marriages; acknowledges that this pension scheme now consists of a two-tier system that unfairly exludes some widows and widowers already on low incomes from the protections now deemed adequate and necessary for new scheme members and their spouses; further notes that the Government has published consultations on the future of other public sector pension schemes; and calls on the Government to protect the rights of pensioners in public sector pension schemes and to ensure that the oldest scheme members and their spouses are guaranteed a financially secure retirement.

Signatures by party: Labour 80, Liberal Democrat 23, Conservative 7, Labour/Co-operative 7, DUP 6, Plaid Cymru 4, Scottish National Party 4, Independent 2, UUP 2.