This is about whether a pensioner is a widow or widower -where a widow gets her pension for life in the event of the husband's death, but a widower only receives it if they have children under 18 and stop receiving it once their children become adults.
Note the word “also” in the original comment.
How recently? I remember there was a referendum to make the age equal in 2017 or 2018, but the proposal was rejected at the time.