It is easy to focus on the family home and overlook pensions. In many marriages, pension rights built during the relationship are a significant part of the overall pot and should be valued properly before you settle.
Common approaches
- Offsetting — one person keeps more of another asset (often equity) instead of sharing a pension.
- Pension sharing — a percentage is transferred into a pension for the other person.
- Pension attachment — less common; income or lump sums are paid from a pension when it comes into payment.
Get the right valuations
Cash Equivalent values are a starting point, not always the full picture — especially with defined benefit schemes. Independent actuarial advice may be needed in higher-value or complex cases.
When to get advice
Before you agree a settlement, check whether pensions have been valued and whether sharing or offsetting best fits your circumstances.