Vol. 436 No. 2
32 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether he will ensure that the relatives of single persons who have contributed to pension funds have the same rights as married people; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Occupational pension schemes are voluntary arrangements. The benefits to be provided are set out in the rules of schemes and there are no legislative provisions specifying the benefits to be provided by schemes or to whom they should be provided. The rules may specify the benefits to be paid in respect of the relatives or survivors of members. In some cases the scheme rules provided for the trustees to have some discretion in deciding who should receive benefits from a pension fund in the event of the death of a member.
