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<p>As defined within primary legislation, Armed Forces pension awards reflect the
actual time served. In 2000, a member would have served 16 years as an Officer or
22 years as an Other Rank to qualify for the immediate payment of a pension on discharge,
and those who served at least two years would be entitled to receive a deferred pension,
payable at age 60 for service between 1975 and April 2006. Circumstances of dismissal
relate to terms and conditions of employment and not the provisions of the Armed Forces
Pension Schemes, meaning that Service personnel dismissed or discharged in respect
of their sexuality retained their accrued pension rights.</p><p>In the early 2000's,
the Ministry of Defence settled a number of claims from former members of the Armed
Forces who had been dismissed for being LGBTQ. The compensation awarded to claimants
consisted of damages for loss of earnings, loss of pension and injury to feelings.
These claims were reported in the national press at the time of settlement. However,
upon completion of the Lord Etherton PC Kt QC independent review into the impact of
Defence's historic policy on homosexuality, the Government will carefully consider
the recommendations and decide what action to take.</p>
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