Equal treatment for men and women: statutory and occupational social security schemes

The European Parliament in its first reading made some amendments to the proposed directive. These include: - More precise definitions of "individual entitlements" and "derived entitlements". The former means the entitlements derived from professional activity and entilements conferred under systems which guarantee basic coverage for all citizens. - the entitlement to widow's/widower's benefits apples to established couples living within the limits and in accordance with the provisions laid down by the Member States. - the principle of equal treatment means no discrimination on the grounds of the sex or marital status of the deceased parent or the sex of the orphan, and no distinction between legitimate and natural children. - the possibility for men and women to benefit in the same way from flexible pensions will not constitute an infringement of this directive. - with regard to pensions derived entitlements shall be granted in addition to individual entitlements upto the maximum amount payable under the most favourable entitlement.�