Shake up of widows' pensions

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Bern is planning to shake up widows’ pensions – by abolishing them.

Currently, if a woman is widowed, irrespective of age – she gets a pension for life. 

If a man loses his wife. He gets nothing. 

The government wants to treat both the same – so women will lose their pensions.

The exception – for men and women – is the surviving spouse will get a pension if children are involved, until they’re aged 25. 

Also, if the lone spouse is over 58 years old, they could be entitled to benefits if their situation is precarious. 

The aim is to save money. 

Those over 55 will continue to receive any pensions they’re getting at the moment. Those under that age will lose them two years after the bill is passed. 

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