Divorce and pension

alta

I was awarded 50% of my ex's civil service pension. I hear that they may strike due to changes in pensions. will these changes effect me?
also I had very little help when this was awarded, is there anybody who can explain how this pension works? I did contact the civil service pension office, but they were about as helpful as my ex was in giving it to me.:o

atush

Well, I assume (but you will have to check your court ruling/arbitration) that you will have entitlement to his pension UP TO the point of divorce/seperation- not going forwards (if he still works there and is accruing further years).

Therefore, the new rules won't affect you.

You will get half of what was accrued under the old rules up to the date your ruling states. And I would ask for appropriate paperwork about your entitlement under the ruling incl projected pension and date of pension as now you are the owner of the pension therefore the CC pension people SHOULD deal with you on the subject- maybe they haven't filed a copy of your ruling yet? And ask if you will be entitiled under your ruling for half his lump sum if one is due?

In any case the new deal isn't that bad, just not as generous as before hence their feet stamping.

Loughton_Monkey

Yes, any strikes etc. have got nothing whatsoever to do with it. You say you have already been awarded 50%. My understanding is that this could have been done in a number of ways. Was it done by transfer of a £amount from the Civil Service scheme into your own pension? Or is it being done by some form of "attachment order" on the pension when he gets it? Or did you yourself work for Civil Service and it has been done by an internal transfer to yourself?

All methods are supposed to be financially the same, and will be based on value as at the 'split'.

The strikes are all about proposed extra contributions for future pension rights. This has got nothing whatsoever to do with you, unless you are a public sector worker yourself.

alta

Thanks for your help. I was awarded 50% of the pension at the split, CC gave solicitor the pension so far. No smount of his lump some. I dont work for the CC and was asked if I wanted to transfer my pension to a different scheme. My solicitor told me it would be best to leave it where it is. I was not well for a while after my divorce (2007) and have only revently felt able to deal with it.
where would you both suggest I write/email to get information about it? thanks for yout help.

atush

Start with the papers you have for your ruling, and the letter your Solicitor got from the CC. then call the CC pension people and have the letter to hand and ask how you go on. If it was split you may have a new unique reference number etc. Ask them to send you paperwork incl projection of benefits at date of retirement.

Unless you yourself work in public service (and even then as schemes are different) I agree that leaving it there is the best thing to do.

Are you working? DO you have a pension in your own name? You should start one if you don't have one.