Supreme Court pension ruling 'sends strong message'

Unanimous decision

Tom Ellis
clock • 2 min read

The UK's Supreme Court today ruled an unmarried cohabitant partner was entitled to receive a survivor's pension - a decision that could have a significant effect on the rules of pension schemes across the country.

The case considered Denise Brewster, whose partner of 10 years William McMullan died on Boxing Day in 2009, two days after proposing to her. McMullan was employed by Translink, a public transport operator in Northern Ireland, for approximately 15 years and paid into the Local Government Pension Scheme throughout his term of employment. Brewster said she believed her partner filled in a form nominating her to be eligible for a survivor's pension, but the Northern Ireland Local Government Officers' Superannuation Committee, which administers the scheme, said it did not receive any such for...

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