TIM Hopkins (Letters, October 8) is right to complain about discrimination regarding pension entitlements for surviving spouses in same-sex marriages. However, the solution is to remove these benefits in respect of all future pensionable service for all surviving spouses.
Many defined benefits pension schemes are in significant actuarial deficit and the reduction in a surviving spouse’s pension would reduce these shortfalls. The majority of surviving spouses already have their own pensions and do not need the support of a pension from their late partners. In cases where such provision is required an actuarial calculation can be made in order to allow the person receiving the pension to surrender part of his or her pension in order to secure a pension for the surviving spouse.
I realise that this would not eliminate discrimination, but it would reduce the unfairness for couples in same-sex marriages and also for those who live together outwith marriage and currently do not receive support from the pension secured by their partners.
Sandy Gemmill,
40 Warriston Gardens, Edinburgh.
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