Changing sex and pensions
By JUNE SALMON
07 September, 2010
http://www.eadt.co.uk/business/law/changing_sex_and_pensions_1_624208 (http://www.eadt.co.uk/business/law/changing_sex_and_pensions_1_624208)
It is proposed to increase the ages for both sexes in the future, a decision criticised by employers who believe that it will hamper the efforts of businesses to recover from the recession and cause a rift among staff.
Retirement ages are constantly under public scrutiny and are being challenged. In the case of Christine Timbrell, born Christopher, the Court of Appeal held she was discriminated against by being subjected to male retirement laws.
Christine had a sex change operation in 2000, and changed from a male to a female but did not divorce her wife.
She was notified by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), that she would not be able to obtain a pension until the age of 65. Ms Timbrell argued that she was being discriminated against by being subjected to male retirement laws.