Social Welfare (Surviving Cohabitant’s Pension) Bill 2021

Public bill · Private Member · Introduced

The measure would extend the contributory pension to a surviving cohabitant, so a person who was living with a partner when that partner died could qualify for the same kind of pension support already available to widows, widowers and surviving civil partners. It sets out the conditions for eligibility, including a minimum record of social insurance contributions, and allows a person’s own record or the deceased partner’s record to be used where appropriate. It also makes clear that the pension would stop if the survivor remarries, enters a civil partnership, or is in another cohabiting relationship. The purpose is to remove an unequal gap in social welfare rules and give financial protection to bereaved partners who were not married or in a civil partnership.

Formal long title

Bill entitled an Act to amend the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 to entitle surviving cohabitants to a contributory pension; and to provide for related matters.

Last updated 28 February 2025