Partners & Family - Civil Partnerships

This page includes details of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme in relation to Civil Partners and unmarried gay partners' (eligible partners') rights.

Armed Forces Pension Scheme (AFPS 75)

Dependants' benefits

Q: I have a same-sex partner and we intend to register our Civil Partnership. How might this affect my partner’s pension benefits if I die?

A: Under the Civil Partnership Act 2004, pension schemes are required to provide benefits to a civil partner based only on a member’s service from 6 April 1988. Civil partnership gives other non-pension benefits compared with an eligible partner, including tax, married quarters, etc.

See the current MOD website and the archived page from 2005 for more information.

Pension entitlement for civil partners

Q: Will my civil partner be entitled to a pension?

A: Yes, but only for your service from April 1988.

Pension entitlement for non-civil partners (eligible partners)

Q: An eligible partner is someone (same sex or otherwise) with whom an individual has an established and exclusive relationship of dependence or interdependence. Is my partner entitled to a pension?

A:No (unless death was due to Service)

Comparison between AFPF 75 and AFPS 05

There is an archived comparison of the two military pension schemes produced by MOD in 2005. This previously appeared on the MOD website but is now held by the National Archive - view here.

Armed Forces Pension Scheme for new entrants from 2005 (AFPS 05)

From 2005 on, all new recruits to the armed forces can only be members of AFPS05 as AFPS75 is closed to new entrants. There is an AFPS FAQ on the MOD website :: click here

Q. Will my civil partner be entitled to a pension?

A. Yes, but only for your service from April 1988.

Q. Is my (eligible) partner entitled to a pension?

A. Yes, but only for your service from April 1988

Reserve Forces Pension Scheme (RFPS)

Full details of RFPS are on the MOD website.

Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS)

The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme replaces the schemes previously administered by the War Pensions Agency, including Service Invaliding Pension and Attributable Pensions.