Female classification under Gender Recognition Act gives transsexuals early access to pensions

Some122 transsexuals are set to cash in five years early on state pensions after being classified as women under the Gender Recognition Act.

The Department for Work and Pensions confirmed yesterday that the transsexuals, who were formerly men, had been granted pensions after being officially recognised as women since April 2005 when the Gender Recognition Act was implemented.

They will now qualify for a state pension at the age of 60 rather than 65, receiving almost £22,000 in additional pension funds.

Men who changed gender before the Act was introduced and are now over the age of 65 will not be eligible for backdated pension payments.

More than 1,500 transsexuals have been certified as women under the new Gender Recognition Panel, which requires evidence from a doctor or psychologist, over the past 18 months.