War Widow's Pension

If you lived as the spouse of a War Pensioner or your partner died 6th April 2005 whilst in service in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces, you may be entitled to receive a War Widow’s Pension. You may be able to claim the pension if:

• Your partner died whilst serving in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces prior to 6th April 2005
• Your partner was in the Merchant Navy or Coastguard and died as a result of an injury or illness which occurred during war or during time spent as a prisoner of war
• Your partner was in the Polish Forces during World War Two but under the command of the British Forces, and died during service
• Your partner was in the Polish Resettlement Forces during World War Two, and died during service
• Your partner was claiming a War Pension when they died
  
  

If your partner died after 6th April 2005 whilst in service in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces you may be entitled to compensation. You should contact the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency on 0800 169 2277.

There are two rates of War Widow’s Pension. The higher rate may be paid if:

• You are over forty years old
• You are under forty years old but are entitled to extra money for your children
• You are under forty years old but unable to support yourself financially without extra assistance
  
  

Other qualifying widows or widowers will be paid the lower rate of War Widow’s Pension until they reach age forty. The amount of War Widow’s Pension you will be entitled to will also depend on the rank that your late partner had attained when they died. Currently War Widow’s Pension for the tax year 2008/2009 is set at:

Rank of Lieutenant-Colonel (Army) or above:

• Between £5,909 and £6,182 a year, depending on late partner’s rank

Rank of Officer or above:

• Higher Rate – between £5,808 and £5,854 a year, depending on late partner’s rank
• Lower Rate – between £1,594 and £2,033 a year, depending on late partner’s rank

Other ranks:

• Higher Rate – £110.05 a week
• Lower Rate – £26.36 a week

To claim War Widow’s Pension, contact the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency on 0800 169 2277. If your claim is successful, your War Widow’s Pension will be paid into an account you nominate, via direct debit. You may also be entitled to extra benefits depending on your particular circumstances, such as your age and any dependents or children you must look after. Every claim will be assessed individually, so an exact estimation of your War Widow’s Pension is available only from the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency.