Pension

[Maystan]

Would anyone have knowledge if a widow would receive a widow's pension for her family by the year 1850 or did that commence much later.

Merry Christmas

[Billiejo]

Later, probablt 1940's

[Maystan]

 I didn't think there would be a pension so thank you for clarifying that matter.  I would assume that any widow left with children would have to depend on her own means or family.

[Christopher]

Hiya Maystan and Billiejo,

The Old Age Pension was first introduced in Ireland in 1908 by Lloyd George.
Widow‘s pensions were initially introduced at Ireland in 1935-6.

Christopher

[Maystan]

Thank you Christopher for that bit of info. Appreciated.

[Canuc]

May I suggest that you need to talk to a pensions Actuary and see what they have to say. They may enable you to understand the income question and point you in appropriate directions of what to look for and where. I'm not one but the following may be worth considering if you know your woman wasn't destitute.

When you said pension had you a state pension in mind?
Not sure if there were personal pensions, but they are different to the state version. It is possible that this was Trade/Guild linked (a version of a Friendly Society).
Then there were/are Friendly Societies that one paid into and received benefits.
There may have been an inheritance "in the funds" i.e. government issued bonds, which the widow enjoyed the interest on for her life time.
There may have been an annuity.
That was still the age of the tontine.
She could have been on the Parish, but with limited assistance was able to live out of the workhouse.

Just a few thoughts, but you do need an Actuary with an interest in history.

Happy hunting
Canuc

[Maystan]

Thank you Canuc for that interesting information about pensions. I had no idea there were so many different avenues to search. 

I don't believe the woman was destitute at all & yes I had assumed it would be a state pension (widow's). When the husband died, the widow would get a pension. I would assume that these searches could be recorded  earlier then 1908?

As I'm really not sure who an Actuary would be, any idea who I would contact?  

Maystan

[Canuc]

Actuary: They are "acountants" into the future, they calculate risk (so all insurance companies have actuaries), they calculate how much one needs to pay in today to receive an income of "£x" at age "??". How do I know, I was married to one.

Unfortunately they are rare beings numbered in tens of thousands worldwide. The Institute of Actuaries is their UK professional body they may be able to put you in touch with a Fellow with an interest in family history

http://www.actuaries.org.uk/Display_Page.cgi?url=/index.html

Good luck
Canuc

[aghadowey]

I don't believe the woman was destitute at all & yes I had assumed it would be a state pension (widow's). When the husband died, the widow would get a pension. I would assume that these searches could be recorded earlier then 1908?

The State Pension started 1908 so there are no earlier records for that.