We’re currently working with the Department for Education to implement changes to the Scheme to address direct sexual orientation discrimination following a claim brought against the Teachers’ Pension Scheme.

The Goodwin case identified male survivors of opposite-sex marriages and civil partnerships are treated less favourably than survivors in same-sex marriages and civil partnerships.

For further information you can read the Written Ministerial Statement (This link opens in a new window).

Scheme rules will be changed to ensure that:

• the male spouse or civil partner of a female member is treated in the same way as a same-sex spouse or civil partner. Survivor benefits will be calculated using service from 1 April 1972, or 6 April 1978 if the marriage or civil partnership took place after the last day of pensionable service.
• this change will apply for deaths in respect of female members which occurred from 5 December 2005, which is the date that same-sex civil partnerships were introduced.

There will be a consultation on the amendments to the Teachers’ Pensions Regulations this Spring, which will provide further details on our approach, and associated timescales.

We’ll continue to update you as we know more, but please be patient as we’ll be contacting affected members in due course once necessary system changes have been implemented.

For the latest news, visit our news section and FAQs.