Pensions!

[cm0301]

Not really sure of the point of my message other than the need to vent before I scream or cry. I filed for divorce back in July/August 2023, applied for CETV for NHS Pension at the start of September 2023 and I am still waiting on the figure. They state they will provide the figure within 12 weeks, which should have been early Dec. When I chased up at that time I was told it would be end of December, then at the end of December I was told it would be the end of March, and now I have been told it will be end of June. Meanwhile the date we could file for final order has been and gone and we're still in limbo because we can't agree any of the finance without this figure as my ex believes I have this "amazing" pension. He is a lot more financially savvy than me, had loads of money I didn't know about etc etc. And I am worried that if this figure does end up being "good" he'll try to reduce the limited figures we've already tentatively agreed. My issue is that I obviously won't get the pension for years yet so it feels irrelevant to the current situation as I need to be able to survive at the moment and provide for my daughter and I. We've been going the mediation route so it's all supposedly amicable but I feel like it could turn very quickly as he is very money focused. Any advice welcome!

You could try contacting The Pensions Regulator for advice, or The Pensions Ombudsman. They may say you need to submit a formal complaint to NHS Pensions first before they can get involved, but they may have other suggestions too.

Unfortunately our illustrious government have ensured that lots of people are retiring from public sector jobs at the moment. Because of poor conditions, cuts and restructures. Added to which they screwed up their 2015 pensions changes which means public sector pension entitlements are far more complicated than before. Essentially you can decide whether you stay in the old scheme till 2020 or opt into the new scheme from 2015. Oh yes and they then changed pension tax arrangements.

I would place money on the fact that pensions agency is also facing cuts and restructuring at the very same time their workload is spiralling.

If you are in mediation then maybe get an estimate from the pensions portal. It won’t be accurate but it will be ball park. That might be enough for you to agree on how pensions should be treated. But you know maybe you just tell him he will have to wait because it is beyond your control. In the meantime suggest looking at his income and expenditure because you need to understand why someone with a high income has no savings. 🤔

Sorry op
but it’s not irrelevant
public pensions can be v good and absolutely need to be factored in and considered and if the figure done back ‘good’ it will and should be part of overall discussion/negotiation on settlement

equally it might not be as good as he perceives. Point is, it is needed.

v frustrating it’s taking so long

Thanks everyone. I've just been advised that I can pay to fast track (6weeks doesn't feel particularly fast and will cost over £400) even this far into the process. If I'd known this earlier it could have all been sorted by now, but I was told early on that you couldn't do this once it was in the system.

I have also emailed a complaint into the Pensions Agency and submitted a complaint form. And I've spoken to the Pensions Ombudsman.

Same situation here the only difference is that both our pensions are the same according to the annual statement and we live in the same house. This is a move to prolong the process as he is enjoying making our lives hell (our daughter lives with us). I complained to the pension scheme but nothing happened.
Good luck.