Pension Sharing - Timing and risks?

Gasman2

My mother and step father are divorcing. They're both in their 70s and as part of the agreed financial settlement, she will be getting approximately 50% of his pension 'pot'.

His pension is a personal pension and he's been receiving an annuity for a number of years.

The split will be achieved by a Pension Sharing Order.

She is concerned about the timing of this and what happens if he were to die part way through.

The PSO can only be issued once the Decree Nisi is issued and can only take effect after the Decree Absolute.

As things stand, while she is still his wife, if he were to die, she would receive about 2/3 of his current annuity.

But her concern is what happens between the pension sharing order being issued / the decree absolute being granted and the annuity provider dealing with the split.

What would happen if during this limbo period her (by then former) husband dies?

Hopefully, this is unlikely to happen, but there is obviously a chance at his age. She would no longer be entitled to spouse benefits and nor would she have an annuity in her own right.

Could she be left with nothing? If so, is there any way to protect against this situation?

Would she still be entitled to her share of the 'pot' once the PSO has been made and served on the annuity provider, even if they are slow dealing with it (they have up to 4 months) and the worst happens?

I'd welcome any advice or suggestions.