The Local Government Pension Scheme (Civil Partnership) (Amendment)(England and Wales) Regulations 2005

From 5 December 2005, the Civil Partnership Act 2004 enables same sex couples to formally register their relationship. 

The Act requires pension schemes to provide death benefits for surviving civil partners on similar principles to those which apply in the case of widows and widowers, but based on service accrued in respect of membership from 6 April 1988 only.

As part of the financial settlement on the divorce of a married couple, a court could issue an order which requires part of the pension rights of one of the parties to be paid for the benefit of the other.  Similar principles will also apply in the case of the dissolution of a civil partnership.

The Local Government Pension Scheme (Civil Partnership) (Amendment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2005 come into force on 5 December 2005.  They amend the following to meet the requirements of the Civil Partnership Act 2004 -

• The Local Government Pension Scheme Regulations 1997
• The Local Government Pension Scheme (Transitional Provisions) Regulations 1997
• The Local Government (Discretionary Payments) Regulations 1996
• The Local Government (Early Termination of Employment) (Discretionary Compensation) (England and Wales) Regulations 2000

Last Modified: 06/10/2006 09:11:55
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