War widows will be able to keep their pensions if they remarry under changes to Armed Forces pension schemes to be introduced next year.
Prime Minister David Cameron announced the changes following a long-running campaign for equal pension rights for partners of those serving in the Armed Forces.
Currently, war widows receiving pensions from schemes in place between 1973 and 2005 lose their entitlements if they co-habit or remarry.
But the new pension arrangements will ensure a spouse or civil partner of all members of the Armed Forces will retain their pension for life if they remarry after 1 April next year.
The scheme is expected to affect some 3,000 widows and cost an estimated £120m over 40 years.
Mr Cameron said it is "absolutely wrong" that under the current system some Armed Forces widows lose their pension if they choose to remarry.
"This means that people, who have made huge sacrifices for our country, have had to make an agonising choice between their financial security or loneliness," he said.
"That's why I was determined to put this right and to respond to the concerns of many who have campaigned for a long time on this issue.
"And I am delighted to announce that we will change the rules to ensure that when our Armed Forces widows find happiness with someone else they can keep their pension for life.
"This reflects our clear commitment to uphold the Armed Forces covenant which we enshrined in law."
Veterans minister Anna Soubry told Sky News that the reason it had taken so long was because all governments are reluctant to make changes retrospectively, but the Coalition had decided to evoke the military covenant.
Campaigners welcomed the change.
Irene Willis, chairman of the War Widows' Association, said: "After campaigning for this amendment, which will benefit a small number of war widows whose partners died in service to their country, we are delighted that the Government has decided to provide pensions for life."
Chris Simpkins, director general of the Royal British Legion, said: "The Armed Forces Covenant recognises that no one should suffer a disadvantage due to Service, and that the bereaved are entitled to special consideration.
"That is why today's announcement, that all widows and widowers will retain their pension for life, is so important."
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