Pension split? Or not

[planroundstops]

Hi - please can anyone advise what the pension split is (if even applicable) to a short 2.5 year childless marriage?

My friend is going through this at the moment, but with a five year marriage. So far it's looking like her pension pot is safe as it's classed as a short marriage (just).

@Springadorableawesome! Thanks. Good luck to your friend

2.5 years is highly unlikely to touch pensions unless there's a long time cohabiting before marriage.

@Mooselooseinmyhoose no cohabiting before

Thanks. It's a hideous divorce as well (they have a child and it is not friendly 😬) so I think if he could grab it he would! Think you'll be ok 🤞

If a man had the larger pot, would MN use the word grab in relation to the woman?

I'd hope so, if it was a short marriage and they hadn't cohabited before. I don't see how being in a relatively short relationship should entitle you to a lifetime of saving.

It's not really symmetrical is it. She's had a child, she was pregnant or on maternity leave for a large chunk of the marriage. That may have effected her future career and therefore pension.

There isn't really an equivalent the other way round but if a dad took years off work to raise a child I might suggest similar.

So in short (no pun intended) short marriage 2.5 years but taking into account no children of the marriage a year of that was separation - pension most likely won’t be split?