SERPS FOR WIDOWS AND WIDOWERS AFTER 6 APRIL 2000

Motion Text

That this House notes that from 6th April 2000, the amount of SERPS inherited by a spouse is cut from 100 per cent. to 50 per cent.; welcomes the decision of the Parliamentary Ombudsman on 29th March 1999 to investigate claims that from 1986 to 1999 the DSS was mis-advising people about their widows/widowers' entitlement to SERPS after 6th April 2000; and calls on the Government to make its position clear at the earliest opportunity as to whether or not the change will be delayed from April 2000 to a later date or withdrawn completely, and as to whether and how any compensation will be paid to those affected by incorrect verbal or written advice given by the DSS.