Provision for the payment of pensions by the Department of Defence to the widows and children of deceased soldiers was first made in 1978 when a contributory pension scheme for such dependants was introduced. Soldiers serving at the time were included as members of the scheme unless they made a positive option in writing not to become members.
A second opportunity to make provision for their dependants was granted in 1985 when all soldiers, as well as pensioners, who had opted out of the contributory scheme in 1978 were invited to reconsider their decision and to join the scheme.
The number of widows, whose husbands chose not to become members, and who are outside the ambit of the scheme, is currently estimated at about 200.
Widows of soldiers would generally be eligible for survivors' contributory pensions under the social welfare Acts.