Hiding income to reduce CMS payment

[HowlongdoIwait]

In the last couple of years my ex has started paying additional amounts into his private pension in order to essentially hide income and reduce his CMS.

While I understand it's legal does there become a point when it's too much?

For context he already draws a government pension, he has a workplace pension and he's paying about £25k into a private pension.

By doing this he's managed to reduce his monthly payment by £180.

Is there anything I can do?

I think the general limit is accepted to be around 12%, but it’s also accepted that it’s fine to increase contributions steadily as they head towards retirement. You can apply to the CMS for a variation if you think it’s excessive, but this is usually for large spikes or excessive contributions. It will depend on if 25k is a massive portion of his income.

Thank you. I found my paperwork today and if I've calculated it correctly he's putting 40% of his income into his pension. This is after whatever is taken from his salary for his work pension 😮

Is he over 65? How old is dc?

There is some kind of stepped allowance as they get towards retirement, going up to 60% I believe. 40% may actually be permissible depending on his age. The CMS should be able to advise

I never understood people who don’t want to pay for their kids just because they are separated from the child’s parent

No, he's in his early 50s. DC are teenagers

Sadly there are a lot of them about

CMS are not great. You could request the CMS to refer your case to the FIU. You may have to raise an additional income on cms if it gets declined you can appeal.

Does he see his kids?

How is he drawing a state pension?