If you’ve had gender reassignment, your pension may be affected.
The Gender Recognition Act came into force on 4 April 2005. This Act introduced a process to allow a person to change their legal gender.
Your legal gender is tied to your UK birth certificate unless you apply for a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC) to change it legally.
If your application is successful, you'll be issued a GRC. The law will recognise you as having all the rights and responsibilities appropriate to a person of your acquired gender.
How having a GRC affects pension entitlement in the NHS Pension Scheme
Some gender specific regulations remain in the NHS Pension Scheme.
This affects members who:
- have Special Class status (SCS) in the 1995 Section
- have service before 25 March 1972 in the 1995 Section
- transfer pension rights to and from any of the NHS Pension Sections or Schemes
You can read more information on the Gender recognition factsheet on our website.