Do I have to share my pension on divorce?

It sometimes surprises clients to learn that like any other asset, such as a property or cash savings or investments, pensions can be shared on divorce. This is usually done by way of a pension sharing order, in which a percentage of the payer’s pension is debited from their pension fund, and is credited to a pension fund in the name of the receiving party. The receiving party will then have full control to manage their new pension fund as they see fit and decide how they take their pension benefits on retirement, subject to the pension scheme’s rules. It is important to note however that basic state pensions cannot be shared.

Although pensions can sometimes be overlooked, there are some cases including those with modest assets, where the pensions are the most valuable of the assets. Equality is the starting point when considering pension sharing, but there may be arguments to deviate away from this such as the needs of one of the parties. For example, it may be that one party is older and due to retire imminently, whereas the other younger party will have the time to build up their own pension provision without the need to have full recourse to the other’s pension.

Where there are enough available other resources, sometimes it is possible to offset your spouse’s pension entitlement, so that they receive a greater share of the other liquid assets in lieu of taking a share of the pension. For example, this may involve taking a greater share of the cash or property assets than would otherwise have been received if a pension share was put in place. It is however very important to understand the real value of the benefits that are being traded off.

Given the complexity of pensions, it is possible that an independent actuarial pensions expert will need to be instructed to report on various options for dividing the pensions that are likely to achieve fairness between the parties. Their instruction is sensible and often imperative for a number of reasons including:

• From a technical perspective, there are different ways of assessing equality when dividing pensions;
• Where there are a mix of different types of pensions including both defined benefit and defined contribution pensions – these are not directly comparable so an expert may likely be needed in order to deduce a fair division;
• Where there is an age difference between the parties, an expert may likely be needed to calculate the size of the pension share to achieve a fair division;
• Sometimes the true value of a pension fund can be under-estimated, such as can be the case with defined benefit pensions where the transfer value on paper can on occasions be far lower than their actual value in reality;
• Where there is significant pension provision over and above a certain level (known as the lifetime allowance), there may be additional tax considerations;
• Where an offsetting calculation is required, given that pensions are not directly comparable to receiving cash as pensions are subject to tax.

A shortage of pension provision on divorce statistically affects women disproportionately as often they take time away from the workplace to raise children, may earn less and therefore have less income to contribute towards their own pensions. It also used to be the case that a wife could rely on her husband’s national insurance contributions to boost her own state pension provision where her own national insurance contributions were lacking. However, this no longer applies to couples who are retiring now.

Given the wide-ranging implications, it is important to take legal advice, particularly where there are pensions to be considered. Brokering a financial settlement without proper consideration of the pension assets can be costly, and potentially leave one spouse disproportionately more exposed to a lack of sufficient pension income on retirement.

For more information:

• Can I have a share of my spouse’s pension on divorce?

A blog written by FLiP Director, Mariko Wilson, who takes a look at the way in which pensions are treated in divorce.

• Pensions on Divorce: A Video 

What does the law say when it comes to pension sharing a divorce? FLiP Director, James Pirrie comments.