Since 5 December 2005, same-sex (but not opposite
sex) couples have been able to register their partnership, giving
them new rights. Couples who register would have a new legal status
as registered civil partners and would acquire rights
similar to those of married couples. The implications for pensions
are:
- registered partners will become eligible
for survivors' benefits (e.g. spouse's pensions) based on
pensionable service from 5 December 2005
- registered partners of members of
contracted out schemes will in addition to the above be eligible
for survivor's benefits based on contracted out rights earned by
service from 6 April 1988
- pension sharing orders will be available
on dissolution of civil partnerships
- civil partners will be able to claim and inherit
state pension rights the same as married couples from 5 December
2005
- partners will be able to have an unlimited
insurable interest in each other's lives for effecting life
assurance.
Q & A's
If you have registered a civil partnership and you are a member
of a pension scheme, the scheme must treat you the same as a
married couple for any pension rights you have built up from 5
December 2005.
In addition, if you are a member of a contracted out scheme,
survivor's benefits are also based on contracted out rights earned
by service from 6 April 1988.
Yes, only registered partners qualify for the new rights.
No - the Act specifically excludes people who are related from
registering and gaining the new rights.
