Pension expert -- any point?

[Redmonday]

Mediator has recommended a pension actuary to assess our pensions as Stbxh has 4 different pensions. But is there any point? Both mid-50s, so I guess CETV will be similar to cash? I can only see 2 outcomes. 1. He is forced to share his pensions more in my favour to equalise income -- this would make him even more difficult/angry than he has been. Or 2. The offset against property equity will not be equivalent 1:1, which would make it more difficult for me to buy him out of our home. Any advice/experience?

No personal experience but I do have some pension knowledge due to work. The gender pension gap is huge and alot of it down to pensions not being properly seen as assets in a divorce. Do as the mediator suggests, it is vital for your future well being and financial standing. Good luck.

cetv won’t be similar to cash, and will also depend on whether they are defined benefit of defined contribution,

the offer to property won’t be 1-1 no. And without knowing any of the details it’s likely that he’ll also need liquid asset ( cash) in order to house himself if you’re in your 50s so simply saying you take house he rages pension doesn’t work

add to that uncertainly in lifetime allowance/pensions contributions tax credit/possible changes to tax free lump s etc possibly in the cards, it makes valuing pensions tricky with a whole bunch of uncertainty

you should both get them properly assessed

Offer should say offset

It really depends on your knowledge and understanding of your marital finances and whether or not they need to be shared. I have always had a decent pension, my ex had a decent pension and my current has a decent pension. Valuing those pensions would be expensive and ultimately all it would tell us is that we would have broadly the same pension on retirement. For myself in my previous and current situation, I would not bother with pension valuation.

Pension and income gaps exist in society. Whether as an issue of sex or other characteristics. Many people have no idea about the personal finances or their marital finances. They often assign that responsibility to their spouse or just ignore the responsibility all together.

That means for other people the valuation is needed.

My STBXH has a huge pension and mine is poor in comparison.
I’ve read that an actuary of the pensions probably add 10% value but I can’t find any info on anyone with real life experience and amounts.
Our solicitors have added everything up and split it 50/50.