Sharing a service pension after divorce

[justanoldun]

A friends daughter and her husband are divorcing after 30 years. She has been told that if she were to accept a 50% share of his armed forces pension - which he will collect at 55 years of age when he leaves the forces, she will have to wait until she is 67 to draw it. Is this true? Seems grossly unfair to me.

[atticus]

Why does it seem unfair? A pension is retirement income.

I hope the lady is taking good professional advice, including on this pension.

[justanoldun]

It seems unfair because the husband will receive his pension at 55 plus a tax free lump sum of 3 times the pension whereas she will have to wait until she is 67 to receive her share.

[PallasAthena]

Just for information section 4 on this gov.uk page suggests places where your friend and her daughter can get advice. Armed Forces pensions are complex and need specialist knowledge to give advice.

https://www.gov.uk/government/public...-a-partnership

[atticus]

Isn't the point that there are good reasons why forces personnel are able to retire earlier than state retirement age? You have given no reason why your friend's daughter should be able to draw a pension any earlier than other women her age. At that time, she will get the benefit of the pension sharing.