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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

pension issue with DH

259 replies

Elephantonabroom · 28/07/2025 08:11

DH and I are late 40s/early 50s. I can only work part time and my private pension will be tiny. DH earns about 3x what I earn, and will have generous final salary pension scheme. but we go 50/50 on everything (we don't have a mortgage, and I get child benefit pulse PIP for my eldest) so I manage. Once I retire (and I know there are still 20 years) I will have the state pension and a tiny private pension (forecasted to be in the ballpark for 2.5k annually). Since we don't have pooled finances (DH is not agreeing to this). I will need to make some more provisions to protect myself once I get to retirement age. Any ideas who to bump up my pension. I can currently not increase my hours nor can I increase my pension contributions (it's a low paid part time job as both DC have complex care needs and I am the primary carer). But I won't be able to rely on DH's pension.

OP posts:
Lifeisapeach · 28/07/2025 18:14

Cakeandcardio · 28/07/2025 17:57

Fuck me. Your bar is beyond low here. My husband would give me everything he had and then the shirt off his back. He says he loves me more because of what I have given him (his children).

You are being seriously abused and seem happy and willing to let it happen. In fact, you are excusing it. I think you need to start putting yourself first.

This ^

OP with kindness, you are in this situation because you have allowed it. Give yourself and your children some respect and start putting your needs and your children’s neede before a selfish man child. There are options for you as other people have noted. I would 100% be visiting a lawyer asap. Take back some control! You owe it to your children.

Holluschickie · 28/07/2025 18:15

" you wanted children more than I did". And he doesn't even holiday with you.
What an absolutely cruel man.

Purpleturtle45 · 28/07/2025 18:15

Elephantonabroom · 28/07/2025 08:26

He says I wanted children more than him (true) so I should primarily provide. He says he gave me a favour and there are loads of things he couldn't do in live due to the DC and their needs (true) so if anything, I own him

Oh wow!

NotNowFGS · 28/07/2025 18:17

"Any ideas who to bump up my pension" Yes! Get a divorce!!

NotNowFGS · 28/07/2025 18:19

Elephantonabroom · 28/07/2025 08:26

He says I wanted children more than him (true) so I should primarily provide. He says he gave me a favour and there are loads of things he couldn't do in live due to the DC and their needs (true) so if anything, I own him

Wow wow wow. This is one of the worst things I've read on this site. This is financial abuse.

Imisscoffee2021 · 28/07/2025 18:21

Elephantonabroom · 28/07/2025 08:26

He says I wanted children more than him (true) so I should primarily provide. He says he gave me a favour and there are loads of things he couldn't do in live due to the DC and their needs (true) so if anything, I own him

How awful :(

Lavenderflower · 28/07/2025 18:22

It sounds like he doesn't like you or your children very much. If anything, it seems, you help him pay for bills.

TaupeLemur · 28/07/2025 18:22

NewYearNewName25 · 28/07/2025 08:16

Since we don't have pooled finances (DH is not agreeing to this)

If you’re married, legally your finances are pooled surely, whatever ‘D’H says.

Fuck me OP. I would cut my losses now, rather than retire with some tight bastard holding the purse strings claiming that he yearned ‘his’ money so he gets to spend while you scrimp in retirement.
You’re married so it’s already YOUR money not his but that isn’t going to stop him being financially controlling when you retire.
Divorce him now, split everything, move on.

LilacFrances · 28/07/2025 18:24

I'm not going to criticise your husband although I agree with everyone else who has done so. I don't want to add to your pain of hearing it. Please think very carefully about your current situation because it is so unfair. I wonder if you are doing all the housework too? No such thing as a family holiday? It's not my place to advise you but I wouldn't put up with this at all.

Dagnabit · 28/07/2025 18:32

Your H is financially abusing you and with respect, you are financially abusing your children by using their disability money to cover household bills. Yes, you take care of their needs but any spare disability money should be saved for them. I would contact Women’s Aid and get some advice.

Sunshineandseaside · 28/07/2025 18:33

He is a horrible selfish man who doesn't treat you at all fairly. He is abusing you financially. You may not feel able to divorce right now, but that needs to be your longer term plan and you need to be working towards it on a practical level. See a solicitor who specialises in divorce. You will be entitled to at least half of his pension, assets, accounts, investments, etc. Will your children be able to live independently eventually, or in supported accommodation as adults?

KatyaKanani · 28/07/2025 18:35

Imisscoffee2021 · 28/07/2025 18:21

How awful :(

Isn't it just? I've read about some awful men on MN, but dear god, this one is utterly vile.

Tanktanktank · 28/07/2025 18:37

Ducks in a row OP for when in the future he decides it’s over.

Elephantonabroom · 28/07/2025 18:40

Cheeky19863 · 28/07/2025 17:17

PIP is your childs money not your income

I know that but the extra costs of DC's disability is care. DC needs someone around at all times, cannot leave the house alone, needs someone who bathed them, brushes their teeth, cooks for them, takes them out, does stuff with them etc. I do all these things and I am only able to do it because I gave up my career in exchange for a low paid part time job. DC's PIP enables me to care for them and I do anything for them. They have a lovely home, eat well, are dressed and fed and do a lot of nice things All because I am around and have access to their PIP which enabled me do provide this care for them. You may think it's wrong to use PIP that way, I don't. the alternative would be me working full time and leaving DC to their own which just isn't possible. I don't even qualify for carers allowance as I earn above the threshold.

OP posts:
Holluschickie · 28/07/2025 18:43

OMG, let OP use the PIP anyway she wants. She's in a very difficult place.

KatyaKanani · 28/07/2025 18:43

Please, @Elephantonabroom , please listen to the very good advice on here. I understand that you may feel trapped, but your husband is being abusive. Please get help to leave the situation.
You will get a good divorce settlement.

Elephantonabroom · 28/07/2025 18:43

Dagnabit · 28/07/2025 18:32

Your H is financially abusing you and with respect, you are financially abusing your children by using their disability money to cover household bills. Yes, you take care of their needs but any spare disability money should be saved for them. I would contact Women’s Aid and get some advice.

PIP is there to pay for their care. I am not abusing my DC. I have up everything: friends, career, a good job, my freedom. Absolutely everything so I am there for them and can care for them. How do you think many families with disabled children survive???? They use PIP or DLA and extra UC if they are entitled to it to pay for the day to day bills as there is no other option of you just cannot leave the house to earn a living!

OP posts:
Janie143 · 28/07/2025 18:44

The more you say about your H the worse he seems. What does he add to your life OP?

TennisLady · 28/07/2025 18:46

Who says PIP is for child savings?!
Anyway OP, this is one of the worst cases of financial abuse I’ve read on here. Please at least go see a solicitor to see what you’re looking at if you divorce, because honestly you can’t go on like this.

FusionChefGeoff · 28/07/2025 18:47

Why aren’t you angry? This is appalling treatment of you by ‘D’H

DoYouReally · 28/07/2025 18:51

Oh, this one of the most upsetting posts I've read.

It's like he's punishing you for having children that he willingly concieved. It's wrong and so unfair.

You seem far too good for him, kind, articulate and a lovely mother.

I understand why you haven't left. The thought of even less than the very limited support with your children is frightening.

I think you need to look at your situation with a professional (solicitor, social worker, women's aid etc.) from multiple fronts and see what's the best way forward.

I don't know how to write this without adding more burden to your difficulties but if he left you tomorrow, how would you manage the care? I suspect that he would either have to continue providing it or fund it by way of court ordered payment.

If you think about it this way, maybe divorce may seem more palatable as at least, you will be the deciding party.

Check out your entitlements both finically and with support and respite if you were a single parent.

Have you spoken to any family about this?

If you are due inheritance, it could be left in trust for your children or of there's a property involved you could be giving a right to live in the property.

Have you any siblings who could support you in any way?

I strongly suspect that you are doing all of this for your children, on your own and no one, not even family, are aware of what you are dealing with. Is there anyone that can support you, even emotionally?

I know you say divorce isn't an option but please at least talk to women's aid and explore it with s solicitor before you rule it out. It may not be an immediate option but try to see if you can start building towards a position more palatable than this.

herbalteabag · 28/07/2025 18:51

Only read a little bit, but enough to know that I would not want to be in this relationship. I agree with the other people who said divorce him and get half his pension.

jamimmi · 28/07/2025 18:52

Please look for help, this is financial abuse. You state you aren't eligible for grants , or extra support i assume that's because or H( please note no D) income. The state assumes you have access to his funds which us why you don't qualify. You needs support before your kids hit 18 and there is more scrutiny of how their PIP is manged. H also needs to realise that he will have to support you at some point or you leave and acess half his pension. He's had free childcare for years now the bill is coming

TheGentleButFirmMadonna · 28/07/2025 18:54

Why do you pay bills only? What does he pay for ?

We don't pull as he didn't want but he pays for everything and I top up if I can extra expenses

Also I won't have great pension but whatever pension he has, will be spent on me for sure, because I live with him

DeliaOwens · 28/07/2025 18:58

OP, I won’t labour on the theme of abuse by your husband. Yet, that is what it is.

I really believe you would benefit from serious advice legal and financial, specifically around divorce. I know you said it’s not possible, but there are options.

You know you can offer room and board in exchange for informal care help? So if you did divorce, it would not all be on your shoulders, you can have built in help.

please, please, please tell me you track/note all your domestic and caregiving contributions, and if you don’t, start now In the unlikely but possible event of divorce in future years, your unpaid caring work will be counted during asset division.
Keep informal records (e.g., caregiving logs, financial impact on you) — it may seem unnecessary, but if ever needed, it helps demonstrate your contributions to the marital economy, which courts do recognise in settlements.

OP, I am so sorry that you are in such a predicament and honestly, wish you had an enormous windfall to protect you today, and into the future.