Navigating UK Pension Claims After Gender Transition: A Guide for Expatriates

Do you have a financial anxiety, dilemma, or quandary? Ask Jessie Hewitson, a seasoned money journalist and editor, who has taken on the role of the new financial agony aunt for The i Paper. Jessie is here to answer readers’ queries while consulting top experts in the field—many of whom charge substantial fees—to provide you with the best possible advice. She will blend this with her own life experiences, including times when she hasn’t always made the wisest financial choices herself. Feel free to email your questions to [email protected], with ‘Ask Jessie’ in the subject line, and she will get to work.

Jodie Mac, a reader, writes…

I am 71 years old, residing in Ecuador, and have never applied for my UK state pension. I have changed my name and gender, and my passport is outdated and still reflects my old name and gender. What steps do I need to take to receive my UK state pension?

Jessie responds…

Jessie responds…

After our initial correspondence, I learned more about your unique situation. You shared that you served in the British Army, participated in the Gulf War, and later moved to the US. In 2000, you underwent gender reassignment surgery in Thailand, then worked with the Red Cross in Africa as a nurse for six years, eventually settling in Ecuador with your long-term partner.

Your inquiry underscores the complexities of financial administration following a gender transition. You are entitled to an Armed Forces pension, a private pension from Legal & General (L&G), and the state pension, but accessing these funds will require you to navigate several forms and demonstrate patience.

You mentioned that you’ve attempted to claim your L&G pension multiple times but faced rejections. Your primary concern appears to be the lack of documentation to validate your time in the UK. As you currently do not possess a valid passport, your first course of action should be to apply for a new one. With a valid passport, your gender recognition certificate, and name change documentation in hand, you should be able to proceed without further refusals.

Next Steps

Since your old passport has expired, you will need to initiate a new application. Download the appropriate form and ensure to complete Section 2, which addresses your new name and gender. As you are currently abroad, you will need to mail these forms, along with a certified copy of your gender recognition certificate (or the original) and your name change document. There are established procedures to handle these requests, making it manageable.

I consulted with Jamie Lowe, the director of True Self Wealth—the first trans-led financial advisory practice in the UK, which is also a partner practice of St James’ Place. He reviewed your situation and provided some insights.

Jamie highlighted that your Armed Forces pension operates as a defined benefit scheme. This means that a collective fund is invested, and individuals within the scheme are entitled to a portion each year. The longer you delay claiming it, the more you risk missing out on benefits, especially compared to defined contribution schemes where your individual pot grows until you make a claim.

Thus, it’s crucial not to procrastinate any longer. You will need to complete two specific forms, both accessible from the UK Government’s website, and submit them to Veterans UK, which is part of the Ministry of Defence. The AFPS Form 14 provides a pension forecast detailing your entitlements. Once received, you should submit this along with the AFPS Form 8, which is necessary to claim a “preserved pension” due after leaving service.

“Unfortunately, arranging the payments may take some time,” Jamie cautioned, “and while you might not receive back pay or an uplift, you can certainly inquire about it.”

For your state pension, the first step is to contact the International Pension Centre, a division of the DWP responsible for pensions of individuals living overseas. Similar to the previous processes, this may not be a quick resolution, and you will need to provide the same documentation as for your passport application.

The silver lining is that since you have not yet claimed your state pension, it might have been automatically deferred, which increases the amount you are entitled to receive. This deferral adds 5.8% to your pension for every year that you delay claiming it, so it’s worth following up with the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP).

Regarding your L&G pension, Jamie emphasized that every pension provider has a procedure for updating names and gender. You will need to reach out to them directly, but this process should be similar to those outlined above.

I’ve reviewed the Government’s guidance on this matter, which states that anyone assisting you must be professional and sensitive. Although the administrative tasks may feel overwhelming, they should remain straightforward.

From what you’ve shared, it seems you are enjoying a fulfilling life in Ecuador. While you mentioned that some tourists can be disrespectful, the local community has shown you support. I find your adventurous spirit inspiring, as I often feel confined to my suburban routine. I asked if I could share your story, and you expressed pride in your journey. I sincerely hope that this marks the final step in your transition, and with some diligence in printing, form-filling, and effort, I believe you will reach your goal.

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