Legal Definitions - widower's allowance

A widower's allowance refers to a regular payment or benefit provided to a man whose wife has passed away. This allowance is typically intended to help the surviving husband maintain financial stability after the loss of his spouse. It can originate from various sources, such as a deceased spouse's pension plan, a life insurance policy, or government survivor benefit programs.

• Example 1: Private Pension Survivor Benefit

  After Eleanor passed away, her husband, Robert, began receiving a monthly payment from Eleanor's former employer's pension fund. Eleanor had worked for the company for over two decades, and her pension plan included a provision for a surviving spouse. This regular payment to Robert is a widower's allowance, providing him with ongoing financial support based on Eleanor's contributions to her pension.

• Example 2: Government Social Security Survivor Benefit

  When Sarah, a long-time contributor to her country's social security system, died, her husband, Thomas, became eligible for a monthly survivor benefit from the government. This recurring payment, provided to Thomas as the surviving husband, functions as a widower's allowance, helping him manage living expenses and maintain his standard of living after Sarah's death.

• Example 3: Life Insurance Annuity Payout

  David's wife, Maria, had a life insurance policy that was structured to pay out as an annuity to her surviving spouse rather than a single lump sum. Upon Maria's passing, David began receiving regular, scheduled payments from the life insurance company. These periodic payments, provided to David in his capacity as Maria's widower, constitute a widower's allowance, offering a steady income stream from the insurance benefit.