You may have seen the recent news coverage of a Supreme Court ruling on the requirement, in relation to the Local Government Pension Scheme in Northern Ireland, for scheme members to complete a nomination form if they wish for their partner (i.e. a partner who is not their spouse or civil partner) to receive an adult beneficiary pension in the event of their death.

Read a summary of the Supreme Court ruling (This link opens in a new window).

We're in discussion with the Department for Education to assess the potential impact this will have on the administration of the Teachers' Pension Scheme, and will make any necessary changes in due course. Please note that all other requirements in respect of when unmarried partners (i.e. partners other than spouses or civil partners) can be entitled to an adult beneficiary pension from the Teachers’ Pension Scheme remain unchanged, read more information here.

We've received a number of calls from members concerned that, as a result of today's ruling, a nomination form is required to ensure their spouse will be entitled to a widow / widower's pension. Please be assured that this is not the case; today's ruling is in relation to unmarried partners only in the Local Government Pension Scheme in Northern Ireland, and a case where an unmarried partner had been precluded from entitlement to an adult beneficiary pension because a nomination form was not provided.