Divorce

Below you will find a high-level process map showing the various steps involved should you get divorced and your DB Section benefits are included in a pension sharing order. For further information please refer to the Divorce guide.

Click on the numbers below to reveal more information about each step.

1 You request a divorce pack from the DB Section Administrator

If you are going through a divorce, you will need to provide information about your Scheme Pension. You can request a divorce pack, which will provide all the information from the DB Section Administrator.

2 The DB Section Administrator produces a divorce pack and issues it to you

On request, the DB Section Administrator will send you a divorce pack which includes all the information you will require.

3 You share the divorce pack with your solicitor (if applicable)

You simply pass the divorce pack to your solicitor, it should contain all the information he or she requires.

4 Court confirms treatment of your pension in a Pension Sharing Order (PSO)

Once your divorce is finalised the Court will confirm how your pension should be shared (if this is the course of action agreed). The Court will provide a formal document which instructs the Trustee what proportion of your pension should be shared with your ex-Spouse or ex-registered Civil Partner.

5 You provide the DB Section Administrator with the PSO

Simply send the PSO to the DB Section Administrator.

6 The DB Section Administrator provides final divorce information including confirmation of costs

The DB Section Administrator will provide confirmation of how the PSO affects your Scheme pension. They will also confirm what fees are payable by you and/or your ex-Spouse or ex-registered Civil Partner.

7 You (and/or your ex-Spouse/ex-registered Civil Partner) pay costs

You and/or your ex-Spouse or ex-registered Civil Partner pay the fees.

8 The DB Section Administrator amends your record

Your record is updated to reflect the terms of the PSO.

9 The DB Section Administrator pays transfer payment in accordance with PSO

A payment is made from the Scheme directly to the approved arrangement nominated by your ex-Spouse or ex-registered Civil Partner. The value of your benefits are reduced to reflect this.

10 The DB Section Administrator confirms payment has been made

You will receive confirmation the process has been completed and the payment has been made. Please allow four months from date on which all requirements are satisfied.

11 Divorce overview

If you’re going through a divorce you’ll need to provide information about your Scheme Pension. You can request a divorce pack (containing all the information you’ll need) from the DB Section Administrator. This will be issued to you within ten working days of the date on which the DB Section Administrator receives your request.

Please note, if your benefits are complex they may need to be reviewed by the Scheme Actuary, which can add up to two weeks to the process. You should then pass the pack onto your solicitor.

If the agreed course of action is that your pension should be shared, the Court will provide a Pension Sharing Order. This document instructs the Trustee on the proportion of your Scheme Pension to be shared with your ex-Spouse/Civil Partner.

The divorce pack details all requirements for implementing the pension share (including provision of the Pension Sharing Order and payment of fees) and the implementation of the order will be completed within four months of the date on which all requirements are satisfied.

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