Opposite-sex civil partnerships and employers
New civil partnership law. On 2 December 2019 the Civil Partnership (Opposite-sex Couples) Regulations 2019 came into force. They enable opposite-sex couples to form civil partnerships in England and Wales. Previously, only same-sex couples could form them. For employers, this change will have an effect on any survivor benefits you offer, e.g. under a company pension scheme or death in service benefits. These must now be extended to surviving opposite-sex civil partners.
Tip. Also, where you refer to “civil partners” in your policies, or invite them to any work-related events, such as annual parties, you must include opposite-sex civil partners as well as same-sex civil partners. A similar change comes into effect in Northern Ireland on 13 January 2020.
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