The loss of pension was ever thus.
My field of nollidge is the Great War.
A soldier, commissioned QM from the ranks in 1912, was decorated and rose to QM and Hon major, compulsorily retired in 1919 with pension. He then died. His widow eventually remarried.
Total loss of pension to widow.
At the risk of provoking brickbats, the rules are there when folk sign up, we are not talking about breach of contract by the Treasury.
I hasten to add that I don't think the situation is fair, but its not new.