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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 enable a person to change their legal gender.

Anyone can apply to the Gender Recognition Panel for a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC).

If you're successful in your application, a GRC is issued. 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 (SC) status 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 about gender recognition on our website.