Pensions On Divorce

Our Legal Services

• Pension Valuation and Analysis: Our knowledgeable solicitors will work with you to obtain accurate valuations of all pension assets involved in your divorce. We will analyse the various pension schemes, including occupational pensions, personal pensions, and state pensions, to determine their value and implications for the division of assets.
• Advice on Pension Sharing Orders: We will provide clear and practical advice on the options available for dividing pension assets, including pension sharing orders. A pension sharing order involves transferring a portion of one party’s pension benefits to the other, ensuring both parties receive a fair share of the marital assets.
• Negotiation and Mediation: Our team is skilled in negotiating fair and favourable settlements regarding pension division outside of court. We can also facilitate mediation sessions to help you and your former partner reach mutually acceptable agreements on pension arrangements, minimising conflict and stress.
• Court Representation: If litigation becomes necessary to resolve disputes over pension assets, our solicitors will provide strong and effective representation in court proceedings. We have extensive experience advocating for our clients’ interests in family court, ensuring your rights are protected throughout the legal process.
• Reviewing Financial Settlements: If you have already reached a financial settlement in your divorce but are concerned about the treatment of pension assets, we can review the agreement to assess its fairness and advise you on any potential remedies or modifications that may be necessary.

A pension is often one of the most significant assets in a marriage or civil partnership. It’s crucial to consider pensions in the divorce settlement process. Seeking expert advice early on is important to understand your pension rights after divorce.

Pensions can be intricate and challenging to navigate, and it’s advisable to have a divorce lawyer supported by an experienced independent financial adviser (IFA) or actuary if needed.

In many cases, one spouse may have a substantial pension while the other has none or limited pension provision, especially if they left employment to care for children. It’s essential to determine whether the pension should be shared or if other assets, like the family home, should be considered instead.

Typically, the wife may have lower pension provision (if any) with the expectation of benefiting from the husband’s pension upon retirement. However, there’s no automatic entitlement to a spouse’s pension, and each case is assessed based on the circumstances.

Our divorce and pensions solicitors can provide guidance on:

• Entitlement to a share of your spouse’s pension
• Options for safeguarding your pension
• Dealing with pensions in divorce, including pension offsetting, pension sharing, and pension earmarking We can also assist with all other financial aspects of divorce.

What happens to a pension on divorce?

There are several approaches to addressing pensions in divorce settlements, each depending on the couple’s circumstances. These methods include offsetting, earmarking, and pension sharing.

Pension sharing is typically favoured by most divorce courts, although offsetting and earmarking can also be applicable in certain situations. It’s crucial to discuss your case and specific circumstances with an experienced family lawyer. This ensures the best chance of achieving a fair and efficient outcome, taking into consideration all pensions held by each party.

Pension Sharing

This method is preferred in the majority of cases today.

Thanks to the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999 (WRPA), this gives one party the opportunity to secure a percentage of their spouse’s pension rights and transfer that percentage into their own name.

This option is often preferred because it provides a sense of control over one’s future rather than dependency on an ex-spouse. The recipient can determine their retirement timing, and if the recipient passes away before retirement, the pension benefits can be designated to children or a new spouse.

It’s important to note that when a pension is divided or shared, the recipient does not receive a cash lump sum. The pension or portion of a pension transferred from one party to another remains a pension and must be invested in a pension plan.

Pension Offsetting

Offsetting involves balancing the value of a pension fund against other matrimonial assets, such as a house. For example, a spouse might relinquish a claim on a pension fund in exchange for a larger share of the equity from a property sale.

Individuals considering this approach should exercise caution due to the differing nature of capital assets and pensions. Unlike liquid assets, pensions cannot be readily converted into cash and are accessible only upon retirement. Therefore, the value of a pension upon retirement could substantially exceed its assessed value at the time of divorce.

Pension Earmarking

Earmarking involves the court allocating a percentage (which can be up to 100%) of the pension holder’s income to the former spouse. This approach may initially seem straightforward and equitable.

However, pension earmarking has several drawbacks, which have led to its decline in popularity. For instance, the income ceases upon the death of the pension holder or if the recipient spouse remarries.

Because of these limitations, pension earmarking is now seldom used in divorce settlements.

How are pensions valued during divorce?

One of the most challenging aspects of handling pensions in divorce is accurately determining the value of a pension fund, especially when dealing with occupational pension schemes like those in the armed forces, police service, and NHS.

There are at least 100 different methods for calculating pension values, and obtaining an expert valuation is often necessary to ensure a fair comparison, particularly when dealing with various types of pensions.

Recent cases have demonstrated significant increases in pension fund values—up to almost a third—due to proper valuation. When considering pension funds that can range from £500,000 to over £1 million (as seen with GPs or senior officers in the armed forces), this difference is substantial.

Seeking expert advice and guidance from experienced professionals is essential to ensure a fair financial settlement and navigate the emotional challenges of separation.

How is a pension split on divorce?

Consideration of pensions in a financial settlement should follow these steps:

1. Determine the extent of pension provisions, including private, company, and state pensions, and obtain a valuation and forecast.
2. Consult with your lawyer to assess whether the pension amount and your case warrant further investigation, weighing the costs against potential benefits. There are numerous methods to value a pension, and a deeper investigation could significantly alter the pension asset value, particularly with final salary pensions and certain government or civil service pensions (e.g., teachers’ or armed forces’ pensions).
3. If you decide to proceed, conduct a thorough investigation, ideally with assistance from a specialised Independent Financial Advisor (IFA) or Pension Actuary (your lawyer can recommend one).
4. Determine how to adjust the financial settlement based on this newfound information.

Do I have to share my pension when I divorce?

The answer to this question isn’t straightforward and will vary depending on other considerations. What other assets are available for distribution? What is the value of your pension? Does your spouse have savings, investments, or pensions in their name? Are you open to offsetting the value of other marital assets to retain your pension?

We advise seeking early guidance when contemplating divorce to grasp the financial implications, including those related to your pension.

What should I do first?

There are numerous variations of pensions, each with unique terms and values. Both you and your partner might have a state pension, a company pension, and possibly personal pensions as well. Your initial task is to assess and quantify your pensions, along with your savings, stocks, investments, and any property or business interests you possess.

Once you’ve determined the value of your pension assets, you can carefully evaluate your options regarding them. It’s essential to seek professional advice on pensions and divorce before finalising any decisions.

How much of my husband’s or wife’s pension am I entitled to after divorce?

When it comes to dividing matrimonial assets like pensions, the general principle is a 50:50 split. However, the actual division can vary based on the overall financial settlement.

Do not assume a specific entitlement to a portion of your spouse’s pension, as this is contingent upon various factors, including your financial positions relative to each other and the other assets involved in the settlement.

We advise consulting one of our specialist solicitors in divorce settlements promptly to gain clarity on your rights and potential outcomes regarding the division of matrimonial finances.

How much of my husband’s or wife’s pension am I entitled to after divorce?

Similar to other matrimonial assets, the general guideline is an equal division of pensions at a 50:50 ratio. However, the actual distribution may vary based on the overall financial settlement.

It’s important not to presume a specific entitlement to a percentage of your spouse’s pension, as this determination hinges on various factors, including your respective financial standings and the presence of other assets requiring consideration.

We advise consulting one of our specialised divorce settlement solicitors promptly to gain clarity on your rights and potential outcomes regarding the division of matrimonial finances.

Why Choose Us?

• Expertise: Our team comprises highly skilled family law solicitors with specialised knowledge and experience in handling complex pension matters in divorce cases.
• Client-Centred Approach: We understand the emotional and financial challenges of divorce and tailor our services to meet your individual needs and objectives.
• Transparent Communication: We believe in open and honest communication with our clients, keeping you informed at every stage of the legal process, and ensuring you understand your rights and options.
• Dedication to Results: Our primary goal is to achieve the best possible outcome for our clients, whether through negotiation, mediation, or litigation.

Contact Us

If you require assistance with pension matters in your divorce or have questions about our services, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Schedule a consultation with one of our experienced family law solicitors, and let us provide you with the expert legal guidance and support you need during this challenging time.