Pension payments
 

Like many others at the time, I paid to top up my wife's pension from a third to a half. I retired as a single person and then married. Having paid a lot, I find it scandalous that my wife does not get a half pension.

Whilst the title of 'Common Law Wife' has no legal understanding, it is actually a valuable 'statement' to show that a serious relationship is involved and this is not some 'one night' stand. In these so called enlightened times it can be very helpful in showing the true nature of the relationship, particularly if a child is involved.

An SAS soldier killed in Africa (Bradley Tinnion) left a 'girlfriend' and a child and a RM Major killed in the gulf had a child and his (Swedish?) female friend was able to prove paternity and his child was accepted as such - not sure about the lady.

Whilst too complex for me to fathom, I suggest as I did at the beginning of the topic, to engage the various experts - including the Forces Pension Society.

Old Duffer

Not Married when in service
 

As I was not married when I left the RAF, my pension will die with me so my wife will receive nothing on my death. Stated clearly on my pension documents.
***

That isn’t necessarily true. I’m not saying that a marriage after leaving will always allow a portion of a pension to be passed on, but the last I’ve i read the leaflet, it certainly suggested that can be. It will certainly depend on which pention scheme you’re on, among other things. All of this is best answered by the pensions association (whatever they call themselves), so do talk to them. I’m not trying to raise false hopes, but it’s always worth a try.

The Post Retirement Marriage rule (which applies in many 'old' pension schemes) has been challenged over the years and has been upheld as legal. Debate on this and other AFPS 75 'legacy issues' took place during the passage of the Armed Forces (Pensions and Compensation) Act 2004 through Parliament and that did not result in a retrospective change. I am not aware of any new challenge and, given the firm 'non-retrospection' policy, I would not expect success if there were to be a challenge.

It’s a pension scheme. Seems to have a fairly well understood set of rules. Successive versions of the scheme have made updates to address perceived changes to peoples needs.

All seems fairly clear. Time to move on.

Pension to wifwe if married after retirement
 

I married in 1989, exactly 1 year after leaving the RAF. In 1990 I asked the pensions people at Crawley how my wife stood in relation to my pension. They told me that she would receive 1/3 of my pension.


AARON.

Hope you have that confirmed in writing….

If you married after you left the RAF, your wife's pension would be based on 50% your pension entitlement for service after April 1978 (see para 2.2 of attached). You can ask for an up to date forecast by writing to Veterans UK giving them your Service details and the date of your marriage. As Wrathmonk says, it is good to get things confirmed in writing.


[img]images/attach/pdf.gif[/img]

37284_MMP114_ Family Benefits.pdf

Go to Post #2 of this thread, link that works to the same document.

YS

Thank you for telling me - my fault for trying to be clever. I used cut and paste from my earlier post. Won't do that again.

Understand Channel 5 are running a documentary about Jane Langford's legal case against HM Government after her partner, Air Commodore Chris Green, died

Series is entitled Inheritance Wars and i think started last Sunday 17th. The series is shown at 2100 hrs every Sunday, her case is apparently #4 in the series and so should go out on 9th October

Spoiler alert! https://www.matrixlaw.co.uk/wp-conte...2018.0111A.pdf

we know Jane Langford eventually won but it was a hell of a struggle - I guess that is what is covered off in the programme. No doubt with clips of suits telling people how her claim was "totally without merit".