Stoffer calls for end to ‘archaic’ marriage restrictions

OTTAWA – Aging veterans and their spouses, who marry after the age of 60, are being let down by the federal government. Current legislation restricts pension and health benefits for veterans’ surviving spouses in the case of marriage after 60.

“Shame on this government,” said New Democrat Veterans Affairs Critic Peter Stoffer (Sackville – Eastern Shore). “When in Opposition, the Conservatives indicated they were going to address the inequity of the marriage after 60 restrictions for veterans and their spouses. A Conservative MP even put forward a private members bill on this issue. The government’s inaction on this file is very disappointing for veterans and their families.”

With the support of veterans and their organizations, Stoffer has introduced a bill (C-210) that would eliminate the marriage after 60 restrictions which were originally implemented to prevent so called “gold-diggers” or younger women from marrying older veterans for their pensions. The bill would amend the Canadian Forces Superannuation Act to allow a veteran’s survivor to receive an annual allowance even if the marriage started after the veteran turned 60. He also plans to introduce a similar bill for the RCMP.

“I call on the federal government to end the marriage after 60 restrictions for veterans and their families. They are truly archaic,” said Stoffer. “Times have changed and we have modernized many pieces of our legislation .There are a lot of veterans who marry a second time after the age of 60 and want to make sure that their surviving spouse has access to their Canadian Forces pension and health benefits when they pass-on. Right now, veterans have to “buy” these benefits for their spouse in the event of their death and the coverage is prohibitively expensive and out of reach for most veterans.”