Mixed-sex civil partnerships are introduced in England and Wales

Implementation date: 2 December 2019

The Civil Partnership (Opposite-sex Couples) Regulations 2019 (SI 2019/1458) enable mixed-sex couples to form civil partnerships in England and Wales. Previously, only same-sex couples could form civil partnerships. This change has an effect on survivor benefits in pension schemes. For example, the Local Government Pension Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2019 (SI 2019/1449), which come into force on 31 December 2019, make provision for survivor benefits when a Local Government Pension Scheme member dies and leaves behind a surviving mixed-sex civil partner.