Married women loss of eligibility to her pension

[debs.candy]

My aunt (now in her late 80’s) worked for the post office for a number of years. She was told at the time that her eligibility to receive her post office pension would cease if she married. She married while still working for the post office & subsequently has never attempted to claim her pension. Obviously I appreciate that rules is rules but this seems incredibly draconian. Has anybody any knowledge of this?

[NWpostie]

Thought that got abolished years ago, it used to be that a single woman had to leave her job if she got married.

Even up.to the 70s a woman needed a man's signature if she wanted a mortgage, sounds like your mother is a victim of this outdated unequal system.

I would be getting on to the pension people about this and maybe speak to the CWU who will know more about the post office system.

[RobertT]

There are instances where someone receiving a spouses pension might lose it if they remarried. That could apply to workplace pensions and there's a similar arrangement with state pensions.

But I find the idea that your aunt is not eligible for her own pension to be a bit bizarre!
To be honest I've never heard of having to leave a job if a woman got married, as NWpostie says. Not saying it's not true!

My advice would be to contact the administrators for clarification.

EDIT: Did she fall foul of the Marriage Bar: https://ictu.ie/blog/marriage-bar-ban-e ... ried-women

[debs.candy]

Thanks For the advice - this was in the 1950’s/1960’s. Much appreciated

[debs.candy]

She continued to be employed by the post office but just wouldn’t be entitled to her pension. I don’t know whether her contributions were ceased at this stage one hopes so!