Armed forces pensions for life
Pensions for life to be awarded to Armed Forces Pension Scheme 75 and War Pension Scheme spouses and civil partners.
The plaque outside the South Door of the Ministry of Defence Main Building in Whitehall, London. [Crown Copyright]
From 1 April 2015 all pensions awarded to armed forces spouses and civil partners under AFPS 75, or the WPS, will be for life.
Those already in receipt of a survivor’s pension who have not remarried or formed a new relationship will be entitled to keep their pension for life with no loss of pension benefits if they later decide to re-marry, cohabit or form a civil partnership.
Those who qualify for a survivor’s pension after 1 April 2015 will be eligible to retain their pension for life.
Those who have already surrendered their pension on remarriage, cohabitation or formed a civil partnership will be able to apply to have their pension restored for life if the new relationship ends.
Similarly, those who marry, remarry, cohabit or form a new civil partnership on or before 31 March 2015 will be able to apply to have their pension restored for life if that relationship ends.