Why pensions merit attention throughout a divorce, explains Caroline Wright
Pensions can be the most valuable asset after the matrimonial home in a divorce. This is all the more likely to be the case for the over-60s. As a potentially valuable asset likely to have been built up over a long period of time, it is critical for practitioners to give proper consideration to valuation issues at an early stage before turning to how the pension might be shared at the point negotiations begin.
Valuation issues
The first step is always to obtain the cash equivalent transfer value (CETV) from the pension provider. Depending on the value, the type of pension and the way in which it is proposed to be dealt with, further expert valuation from an actuary is likely to be required. As a rule of thumb, it will usually be proportionate to instruct an actuary if the CETV is more than £250,000.
Due attention must be paid to the nature of the pension when considering valuation issues. For example, valuations of private company pension schemes which would involve an external transfer of pension
