26 October 2004 - Pension gains for same sex couples
Changes announced today by the Government will mean that same sex couples will gain pension benefits in contracted-out schemes. Civil partners will have the right to pass on survivor pensions as married people do.
The Civil Partnership Bill will be amended so that contracted-out pension schemes are required to provide survivor pensions for civil partners from rights built up all the way back to 1988, replicating the current position for widowers.
Alan Johnson, Secretary of State said:
“The Civil Partnership Bill is all about equality so I am delighted that with these changes civil partners will be able to pass on survivor pensions as married people do. This has important practical applications: often a pension will be the most valuable asset an individual has, so their ability to pass it on is crucial.”
Notes for editors
- The Civil Partnership Bill was introduced to the House of Lords on 30 March 2004.
- The decision to introduce amendments at Report Stage was announced today by Jacqui Smith, Minister of State at the DTI during Committee stage of the Bill.
- The decision to require schemes that contract-out to provide survivor benefits for civil partners on the basis of members’ contracted out rights accrued from 1988 is in line with the fact that survivors’ benefits were extended to widowers in 1988.
Press office: 020 7238 0866
Out of hours: 07659 108 883
Public enquiries: 020 7712 2171
Website: www.dwp.gov.uk