Assumption: "The value on my annual pension statement is what my pension is worth for the divorce settlement."
1 min readThis content reflects observational insights and lived community experiences. It does not constitute legal advice — always consult a qualified professional for your specific circumstances.
What People Expect
People preparing financial disclosure often assume the value shown on their annual pension statement is the figure that should be used to negotiate or disclose their pension's worth.
Court Reality
Financial disclosure (Form E) generally requires a Cash Equivalent Transfer Value, or CETV, not the fund value or projected pot shown on an ordinary annual statement. The CETV is a specific, formal valuation requested directly from the pension provider or scheme administrator, and it can differ from the statement figure. Getting the wrong number into a settlement can materially undervalue or overvalue what's actually one of the largest assets in many marriages.
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The Gap?
"The value on my annual pension statement is what my pension is worth for the divorce settlement."
Court Reality
Financial disclosure (Form E) generally requires a Cash Equivalent Transfer Value, or CETV, not the fund value or projected pot shown on an ordinary annual statement. The CETV is a specific, formal valuation requested directly from the pension provider or scheme administrator, and it can differ from the statement figure. Getting the wrong number into a settlement can materially undervalue or overvalue what's actually one of the largest assets in many marriages.
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