Thousands of Scots could miss out on pension rights if their spouse dies unless MPs vote through same-sex marriage proposals this week, campaigners have warned.
The Scottish Government is pressing ahead with its own plans for gay marriage in Scotland, but supporters say similar legislation at Westminster is needed to safeguard Scots.
Stonewall Scotland, the gay rights organisation, has called on all Scottish MPs to vote for the legislation in a series of crunch votes this week.
Dozens of Conservative backbenchers are expected to rebel against their party leadership and vote against the plans. However, the Bill should still pass as it has the support of both Labour and the Liberal Democrats.
Among the issues that would affect Scotland are old-age and public-sector pensions.
Coalition ministers have confirmed they still have control over any pension paid as a "survivor benefit", if a spouse dies. Colin Macfarlane, director of Stonewall Scotland, said: "This Bill will have a significant impact on Scotland and we would expect all Scottish MPs to take account of that and vote accordingly."
Labour has said its MPs will back the proposals in votes today and tomorrow.
The party also says Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland Margaret Curran has written to the SNP's Westminster leader Angus Robertson twice over the issue, urging him to support the plans, but has yet to receive a reply.
A Labour source said: "This Bill will have a direct impact on people in Scotland, but the SNP are content to sit on their hands.
"In 2010 they voted against the change in tuition fees at English Universities, which didn't affect Scottish Universities. Why did they take a stand on this, but won't take a position on these votes?"
The SNP says it does not plan to vote on the issue because the Scottish Government is pressing ahead with plans for same-sex marriage legislation in Scotland.
It is thought up to 100 Tory MPs could rebel and vote against the Bill. There are also reports that Environment Secretary Owen Paterson and Cabinet Office minister John Hayes could support backbencher amendments to secure additional protections for teachers and registrars who oppose gay marriage.
Many Conservative MPs say their constituents are vehemently against same-sex marriage and believe the Coalition Government should not be spending time on the proposal.
Last week Defence Secretary Philip Hammond spoke against his own government's policy, saying there was a real sense of anger among many people.
Labour has warned the plans could get "lost in the vortex" of Tory infighting.
SNP Westminster leader Robertson said: "This legislation is exclusively for England and Wales only. As a matter of principal, SNP members at Westminster do not vote on England-and-Wales-only measures.
"I am pleased the UK Government are following the example of the Scottish Parliament in legislating on this important equality issue."
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