Gender Identity, Finances and Benefits

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The LGBT Excellence Centre Wales is a social enterprise and a charity that supports Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender people and promotes equality, diversity and human rights through gathering and sharing information and good practice. We provide: Advice Mediation Advocacy

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Support Information and Advice

Government Advice

LGBT Excellence Centre Provides an all-Wales helpline for sexual orientation and gender identity issues (www.ecwales.org.uk) 0800 023 2201

Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) for advice on income and tax (www.hmrc.go.uk)

Unique UNIQUE is a voluntary organisation supporting trans-gendered people in North Wales and West Cheshire. (www.uniquetg.org.uk|) Beaumont Society An established transgendered support group with a support network in the UK (www.beaumontsociety.org. uk) Gender Trust Supporting all those affected by gender identity issues (www.gendertrust.org.uk) GRS Wales Fighting for the right for help with funding for Gender Reassignment Surgery in Wales (www.grs-wales.net)

The Pensions Service for advice on pensions (www.thepensionservice.gov.uk) Direct Gov Information about money, tax and benefits (www.direct.gov.uk) Financial Ombudsman Service How to complain about your bank, insurance company or finance firm (www.financialombudsman.org.uk/consumer/ complaints.htm) Guidance GIRES A wealth of information for trans people, their families and the professionals who care for them (www.gires.org.uk) Press for Change can advise on all gender identity matters (www.pfc.org.uk) Counselling Services LGBT Excellence Centre 0800 023 2201

Gender Identity, Finance & Benefits

Photography © LGBT Excellence Centre and Juliana Kammerlander

This leaflet is part of a series on gender identity produced by the LGBT Excellence Centre Wales with funding from Awards for All.

LGBT Excellence Centre Suite 1 & 2 376, Newport Road Cardiff CF23 9AE Freephone: 0800 023 2201 Web: www.ecwales.org.uk Email: info@ecwales.org.uk

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A transsexual man who gets his full Gender Recognition Certificate after the age of 60 would lose entitlement to the State Pension until age 65. Without a gender reassignment or the Certificate he would receive his State Pension at 60 as he would be “classed” as a woman.

Trans-Forming Finances & Benefits Whilst most government finances and benefits will not be affected by a changes of gender once a GRC (Gender Recognition Certificate) is acquired some aspects of finances, such as pensions, will be affected.

The Issues

The Law

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The new pension rules of 2010 mean that by 2020 everyone regardless of gender, will reach pension age at 66. This will end the current difficulties trans people face when holding a GRC.

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Trans people who do not have, or do not want, a GRC can obtain a letter from their doctor as well as a statutory declaration of change of name to send to the Department of Works and Pensions to change their details.

The Single Equality Act 2010 makes it clear that it is unlawful to discriminate on grounds of gender and gender reassignment.

The Gender Recognition Act 2004 enables transsexual people to apply for 'gender recognition' and those born in the UK can obtain a new birth certificate.

Gender recognition will mean that transsexual people must be treated fully as of their new sex for all legal purposes.

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Employers should I have had an account check if insurers with a well-known bank for years. Recently they need to be denied me access to informed of a telephone banking transsexual claiming fraudulent use, employee as that „a man is trying to some insurers access the account.‟ may invalidate They have all the details their insurance if of my gender they have not reassignment on file but been notified. refuse to take this into However, the account despite me giving them all the employer needs correct security details. I the written permission of the wish companies understood more about employee before distressing this can be. disclosing any Karen details. If an employee has not disclosed to an employer they may not be covered by insurance.

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When involved in events such as sports, individuals and team managers must check that insurance policies cover transgender people. The Caledonian Thebians successfully got their insurance company to formally agree that female to male trans men playing rugby with other men would be fully insured.

(Source Scottish Transgender Alliance)

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No health authority has the right to refuse funding for gender reassignment procedures however, historically transsexual people have had difficulties accessing medical care and funding for surgical, cosmetic and emotional support.

Suggested Reading Taxes and Benefits: Information for our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender customers HM Revenue & Customs (www.hmrc.gov.uk/leaflets/ Pride1.pdf) Gender Recognition: How getting a full Gender Recognition Certificate may affect a man’s or transsexual woman’s National Insurance, benefits and pensions Tribunal Service Gender Recognition Panel 2007 (www.grp.gov.uk/ documents/guidance/GuideBenefitsPension.pdf)

Some good practice:  Be aware of all legal requirements which affect trans staff with regard to insurance, pensions, benefits and career 

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developments (See Workplace leaflet) If long periods have been taken off work for health reasons check with the National Insurance Helpline 0845 915 5996 to check your record for the last six years. They will tell you if there are any shortfalls and how you can make them up.

You must have your National Insurance Number to do so; this usually consists of two letters, six numbers and another letter. Keep this number safe to avoid identity fraud.

In order to make sure that transgender customers are treated fairly and feel valued, make sure to offer private rooms for discussions and ask them how they would like their details to be amended.

Health professionals need to understand the high level of stress delays and barriers to accessing medical support can have on trans people and facilitate access to counselling and support services (for more see Health leaflet).