- Widowhood pensions are being gradually upgraded to align them with the full pension entitlement of deceased spouses. Parity will be reached in 2027 with the conclusion of a scaling-up exercise.
- Widows with dependent children receive a pension top-up for dependent children until they reach 23 years of age. The eligibility age was extended from 18 years in 2026 when top-up allowance was increased by €10 to €20 for each child.
- Widows qualifying to a contributory pension are entitled to a pension of the higher between their own pension and the pension of their deceased spouse.
- Widows in employment and in receipt of a contributory pension are entitled to avail themselves of Sickness Benefits. (2018)
- The Social Security Act was amended in 2021 to update the interpretation of a widow to validate the right of the surviving spouse in a civil union or cohabitation to be recognized as a widow/widower if it is proven that the civil union or cohabitation could not be contracted and registered because one of the partners passed away between 1st January 2017 and 31st December 2020.
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