Widow's pension 130/2025

FOI Reference: 130/25

Request 1 - 9:

1. How many adult survivors have lost their entitlement to receive a “widow’s pension” because they have either remarried or started to cohabit? Please provide the relevant data for each Police Force over the last ten years on a year-by-year basis.
2. How many adult survivors have had their pension reinstated in circumstances where they have divorced their new spouse or ceased cohabitation with their new partner? Again please provide the relevant data for each Police Force over the last 10 years.
3. What information is given to a widow when a widows pension first comes into payment? Please provide copies of the information provided.
4. What further information is sent to a widow once the pension is in payment? Please provide copies.
5. Do you send letters to widows periodically to verify they are still living alone and not remarried or cohabiting? If so please provide copies
6. Do you require a countersigned certificate to verify a widow has not remarried or cohabited? If so please provide copies.
7. If a widow remarries or cohabits, what information do you send to the widow? Please provide copies.
8. Do you send further letters to those whose pension has been withdrawn as a result of remarriage or cohabitation to verify their circumstances are still the same [i.e. they are still remarried or cohabiting]? If so please provide copies.
9. What information do you send a widow if a pension is reinstated? Please provide copies.

Response 1:

I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, as outlined below.

We have identified that 1 adult survivor has lost their entitlement due to co-habitation. The pension ceased in 2022.

Response 2:

I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, as outlined below.

We were unable to identify any affected adult survivors who have had their pension re-instated.

Response 3:

I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, as outlined below.

Widow Benefits Letter - POLWIDBEN

Sympathy Letter - POLSYMPCOH, POLSYMPLET

(Copies attached)

Response 4:

I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, as outlined below.

Pensions Increase Update

(Copy attached)

Response 5:

I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, as outlined below.

No

Response 6:

I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, as outlined below.

No

Response 7:

I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, as outlined below.

See attached email template from the one case we have processed

Response 8:

I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, as outlined below.

No

Response 9:

I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, as outlined below.

We have not come across any cases to do date.                                               

It should be noted that as a result of the systems adopted by Dyfed-Powys Police in relation to the recording of such information that the information released may or may not be accurate.

(This is a response under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and disclosed on 03/03/25)