asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he has satisfied himself with the situation whereby a window, in receipt of a widow's pension, suffers a reduction in pension on attaining the age of 66 due to the application of a stricter means test; and whether he will take steps to remedy this unjust anomaly.
Written Answers. - Widows's Pension.
154.
The Social Welfare Act, 1979, removed the upper age limit for receipt of widow's non-contributory pension. Prior to the enactment of that Act, a widow's non-contributory pension ceased when she reached old age pension age, that is, 66 years, and her means were automatically re-assessed for non-contributory old age pension purposes.
A recipient of a widow's non-contributory pension may now therefore receive that pension after age 66 unless she wishes to claim a non-contributory old age pension. If she so wishes her means are re-assessed. However, if it is to her advantage to remain in receipt of widow's pension she is advised accordingly.
Any widow at present in receipt of non-contributory old age pension at a reduced rate may apply for a widow's non-contributory pension, in which case her means would be re-assessed on the basis prescribed for the latter pension.