Government changes to Serps ruling

The Government is to phase in changes to a surviving spouse's entitlement to their partner's Serps pension from 6 October 2002, writes Simon Falush. In March 2000 the Government said it would reduce the entitlement from 100% of the deceased spouse's pension down to 50% as from 6 October 2002. This reduction will now be brought in over an eight year period. Those reaching state pension age prior to the changes coming in will be completely unaffected and continue to receive the 100% entitlement. During the period 2002-2010 the level of Serps payout the surviving spouse will lock into for ...