Do You Think That Civil Partners And Those In Same Sex Marriages Should Receive The Same Pension Rights As Straight Couples?

[sp1814]

This has always been the difference, but now it looks like a precedent has been set.

Summary:

If a straight couple marry in 2017, and one partner dies, the surviving partner is eligible for the entire pension of the spouse.

Same sex couple marry in 2017, and the same thing happens, only pension contributions since 2005 are payable.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/gay-army-officer-husband-pension-rights-john-walker-supreme-court-win-mod-same-sex-marriage-rights-a7836666.html

I've always thought this was a bit mental. What do you think?

[mikey4444]

Yes, of course they should !

[sunny-dave]

It was patently wrong - hopefully the Court ruling will mean that the law is clarified (or changed if necessary).

[ it's not often 'the whole pension', usually a percentage between 33% and 75% depending on the scheme - but it should be the same for same sex as hetero sex marriages ]

[scooping]

Alwasys worried about retrospective law. Surely an unmarried, hetrosexual couple, who subsequently marry, would have the same problem as this gay guy?

[wolf63]

Yes

[sunny-dave]

Nope - a deathbed heterosexual marriage would entitle the survivor to their full share of the deceased pension.

[sunny-dave]

My answer was to scooping's query, not the OP

[woofgang]

I only scanned quickly but the rights don’t seem to be for the entire pension but for the same proportion of it as any other spouse....which tends not to be the entire pension but half of it......
But should people in same gender marriages be entitled to the same rights as people in hetero marriages? Of course! In many, if not all private pensions, the pension holder is allowed to nominate someone to inherit the pension rights that would normally pass to a spouse..

[sp1814]

scooping

Not as the law currently stands.

If a heterosexual couple marries, and are married for 15 minutes - the surviving partner is eligible for all the pension contributions of the partner who died...

...after a police investigation, because, y'know - 15 minutes is a bit suspicious.

[scooping]

Points taken. Equality should mean just that.

[CrapAtCryptics]

Bearing in mind same sex relationships dont usually result in progeny unless surrogates or donors are enlisted why cant these people earn their own pensions like the rest of us have to.

[Hazi-Hammenuhoth]

No I definitely don't, because I fundamentally disagree with gay marriage and sympathise with any judge trying to interpret the subsequent tangle of laws that the 2005 act spawned.

[EcclesCake]

Hans I am shocked that you have made a return to spout further bile!

To answer the OP, yes.

[sp1814]

Hazi-Hammenuhoth

2005 reflects civil partnerships too.

[sp1814]

CrapAtCryptics

The point is that pensions are transferrable to the surviving partner. The children (or lack thereof) is not relevant, as it isn't in heterosexual marriage.

[gingejbee]

Too many gay-related threads on here at the moment....it's becoming an obsession!

[Mamyalynne]

Yes,the rights should be equal.

[gness]

Crapatcryptics......my niece and her wife have a baby...not by donor or surrogate......if one of them dies you'd like them to be treated differently?

And then if only gay couples with children can be treated the same as heterosexual couples......well what a muddle to suit you....x

[jno]

Hazi's entitled to his views, though it's obviously better if no parallels between bestiality and homosexuality are drawn. I disagree with him, but I don't think he should be silenced. Yes, I'm all for equality in the eyes of the law regardless of gender, orientation or whatever.

[sp1814]

gingejbee

It's only because there have been news items that AB members want to discuss.

[Mamyalynne]

Are people confusing Hazi with a different AB Member?