Back 22 August 2014Pensions changes in the context of Divorce From April 2016 a new state pension system is to be introduced. There are a number of changes in relation which are worth noting in the context of separation and divorce. Under the current rules you need to have 30 qualifying years of National Insurance contributions to be eligible for the full state pension. From 6 April you will need 35 qualifying years of National Insurance contributions to receive full pension. Further, currently you can substitute the National Insurance record of your ex-spouse with your own if that achieves a better result. From 2016 that will no longer be the case. This will mean that where one party has not worked during the marriage, possibly to care for children, they may find themselves unable to claim a full state pension on retirement whereas prior to 2016 they could have done so. State pension entitlement should be reviewed as part of any financial settlement on divorce. Presently it is possible for there to be a pension sharing order in relation to one party’s additional state pension. However after 2016 it will not be possible to share a state pension and any inequality will need to be addressed in another way perhaps by offsetting or a pension share in respect of a private pension. Separate to this changes to the age at which you can take your state pension must be considered, particularly when drafting maintenance clauses. If pension sharing and divorce effects you please contact Maguire Family Law by email: james.maguire@family-law.co.uk or telephone +44 (0) 1625 544650 For specialist advice on any family law related issue contact Maguire Family Law by email: james.maguire@family-law.co.uk or telephone: Altrincham 0161 537 2808 Knutsford 01565 743 300 London 0207 947 4219 Manchester 0161 537 2808 Wilmslow 01625 544 650 Categories Case Studies (20) Children (275) Divorce (520) Domestic Abuse (21) Finances (189) Insights (16) International (47) Reported cases (36) Related News How UK Courts Approach High Net Worth Divorce Cases 29 May 2025 10 Unique Challenges of High Net Worth Divorces in the UK 23 May 2025 Child Maintenance – Frequently Asked Questions 14 May 2025
