Submission 217

Green Paper Submission

May 08

I wish to submit that all single persons be treated equally as regards state pension provision i.e., widowed, single, separated.

At present, widowed or separated persons are paid a pension on the death of a spouse or former spouse and I feel that single persons should get a similar pension. I point out that the survivor pension is paid without any condition that the recipient was a homemaker or a means test, this is unique in the EU. At present single persons say in their fifties who are made redundant receive no pension and it will become increasingly difficult for single persons to qualify for a full OAP as contribution levels are being raised and the averaging condition. This leads to a situation where different categories of single persons are being treated differently as regards pension provision so perhaps to start all single persons over 55 should receive a similar pension to widowers and also receive the same rent allowance, mortgage relief etc. Equality before the law must be a cornerstone for future pension provision and as things now stand we are possibly breaking EU law in our unequal treatment of single people.