Letter: Widows' pensions are not 'benefits'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.I WAS ALARMED to read the report "Labour to scrap benefit for widows" (11 October).
I was widowed two years ago aged 48 and the widow's pension (not benefit) I receive is based on my late husband's NI contributions. No insurance company would dare to announce suddenly that it was not going to pay pensions to its customers. What this government is planning is to renege on the contract made with taxpayers and those who paid NI contributions, naively believing that they would pay for their families should anything happen to them.
Like many women of my age I was brought up to marry and raise a family. We were not expected to be breadwinners and therefore do not have the work experience and earning capacity that women born in a later era will have.
JILL MAGUIRE
Rainham, Kent
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments