civil partnership - who needs to know?

Lottie

Hello there
I am considering entering into a civil partnership however for many reasons I do not wish to tell people/organisations or work. Does anyone know who MUST be told in order to get the same staus as married couples in terms of taxes etc? Will my tax code change and do I have to tell my employer? What about banks and people like that?
Neither of us have children or are ever likely to and we are both high earners so don't get benefits.

I hope somebody knows the answers - it is quite something to 'come out' to the state/employer when you are not even prepared to tell your parents and friends. Sorry if that sounds pathetic but thats how it is. BTW, I have never written anything like this and it is actually quite a big deal for me so before so if you have homophobic tendancies then PLEASE keep them to yourself in this post - thanks

mountainofdebt

I don't think a civil partnership will affect your tax code - after all the married man's allowance has been done away with!

Assuming your not going to change your surname (sorry I don't even know if you can with civil partnerships so you'll have to excuse my ignorance) I don't see why the banks would have to know and as for DWP - well can't see that they would want to know unless you were going to claim some sort of benefit.

The only problem I can imagine is with perhaps an occupational pension - they may want you to nominate someone for perhaps Death in service benefits and it may come as a HUGE (to put it mildly) shock to everyone if your partner was to claim the equivalent of a spouses pension - but in the case of Death in Service benefit, you don't need to put a relationship down (as I seem to remember).

As far as your employer is concerned they may have a different name for emergency contact other than your partner - would you want to change this following a civil partnership???

One thing to ask though does an existing will become invalid with a civil partnership as it would do with a heterosexual marriage ?

THB though, you may find people have already guessed at your sexuality and won't be as shocked as you think - how do you plan on explaining living with your partner otherwise?

homersimpson_3

http://www.womenandequalityunit.gov.uk
if member of union they should have fact sheet and will not tell employer as things told to union will remain in confidence. ask cab for their fact sheet.

Murtle

There are more reasons then celebrations for others for a civil partnership though, inheritance being one. *****Good luck in finding your answers. However, by putting your partners name down, it could be your sister/friend etc. Not everyone has a husband/wife to put down, my OH has his parents, my sister has me down.

Don't worry, in any event what is known to HR should stay with HR.

x x

hankc35

Murtle wrote:

There are more reasons then celebrations for others for a civil partnership though, inheritance being one. I also think the term dirty little secret is uncalled for. Good luck in finding your answers. However, by putting your partners name down, it could be your sister/friend etc. Not everyone has a husband/wife to put down, my OH has his parents, my sister has me down.

Don't worry, in any event what is known to HR should stay with HR.

x x

Yes OK, maybe in that context it was a bit odd I'll edit it out. but when your involved in "the love that dare not speak its name" I suppose you have to make evaluations based on the possible options.

WelshWoofer

I just wanted to say congratulations on the decision to enter into the partnership. Whether its for love or financial reasons in the future its nobody else's business apart from you and your partners.
Be happy!!!
Good luck
R

Lottie

Thanks for the advice - deffo for love not solely financial but as we have shared mortgage etc we should really make our wills without the risk of the other losing the house to IHT

In terms of not telling people - yes they may well have guessed, after all we have lived together for 10 years (yes I know :rolleyes: ) but for eldelry parents and friends who would rather not have it made an issue then it really does not need underlining
I know loads would think me strange for taking this stance - but there it is

System

Ive just come back from a civil ceramony today. Dont forget your next of kin will change when you enter the partnership so you will need to inform doctors as well as any any changes in your surname.