Pensions in the UK
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The UK government loves to brag about how "equal" it's laws are.
Excluding the anti penis rules in the UK state pension system {and in countless other areas of law}, there are some homophobic rules that people should be aware of.
The rules regarding state pensions, such as top ups, spouse/partner credits, etc do not apply to gay MALE couples until April 2015. Married women have always had these rights, and married men and lesbian couples got these rights last year {May 2010}.
Married women and lesbian couples get 100% of their spouse/partner's state pension when the spouse/partner dies. HOWEVER, married men and gay men couples only get 50% of their spouse/partner's state pension upon death.
Women can get state pension credits by staying home and being a house wife, with or without kids. This is not possible for men, so make sure your man makes enough to provide for you in your old age if you wnat to stay home and take care of the house.
While the law says that work and private {ISAs} pensions must go to the surviving spouse upon death, they are specifically exempted from this requirement for civil partnerships. The law says that they may if they wish give spouse type survivor benefits to civil partnerships. According to a recent study, less than 2% of UK businesses give pension survivor benefits to civil partnerships.
So when you are planning your retirement, keep these issues in mind.
Again, the UK government said it has no interest in revisiting gay equality as it deems LGBTs has already being equal under the law.
NOTE: While the above doesn't take into consideration any kids in the relationships, the rules are still very much the same as above when kids are included.
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here there are no gay rights with regards to pension. heck, no gay marriage at all
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Maybe so, but does your country keep telling you how much equality you have and therefore should worship the government?
BTW, we're meeting with our MP today at 4:30pm to discuss the anti gay inequality that remains in UK laws. Her name is Anne Begg and she was just made a Dame for championing the rights of the disabled.
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Again things like this make me glad to live in Canada. I got married (unfortunately), and am in the process of contemplating walking down that road again as I think I've finally found THE one for me. As for the pension thing, that's something that's been a non-issue for anyone since the late 80's or early 90's. Benefits, insurance, etc. were all changed to state "spouse or domestic partner", which encompassed both unmarried heterosexual couples, as well as gay and lesbian couples the same perks as being married through a period of residing under the same roof for at least 1 year. Although there are certain drawbacks to Canada (like December - March), gay rights overall is one area where we're far more advanced than other countries.
