160.—(1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), a person in receipt of or entitled to F955[bereaved partner’s (contributory) pension] or F956[State pension (contributory)] or a person in respect of whom an increase of F956[State pension (contributory)] is payable by virtue of section 112(1) shall be disqualified for receipt of State pension (non-contributory).

(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), a person may be paid State pension (non-contributory) for any period during which the rate of pension payable would be greater than the rate of F955[bereaved partner’s (contributory) pension] F956[State pension (contributory)] or the increase thereof, as the case may be, payable.

(3) Notwithstanding subsection (1), in any case where State pension (non-contributory) is so paid, entitlement to F955[bereaved partner’s (contributory) pension] F956[State pension (contributory)] or the increase thereof, as the case may be, shall continue but the amount of any such pension or increase payable during any such period shall not be paid to or in respect of the person.]