Source · Select Committees · Work and Pensions Committee
Recommendation 16
16
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 113
Divorced women’s pensions are much lower than those of men.
Recommendation
Divorced women’s pensions are much lower than those of men. There appear to be no reliable, regularly reported statistics on the number of pension sharing orders made on divorce. Research indicates that it may be as low as 5% of divorces. As a first step towards a strategy to improve take-up of pension sharing on divorce, we recommend that DWP work with the Ministry of Justice and experts in the area to produce regular and reliable statistics on pension sharing orders. It should report to us on its plans for this by March 2023.
Government Response Summary
The government welcomes having regular and reliable statistics on pension sharing in principle and will engage with HMCTS to understand the barriers to producing and publishing such statistics.
Paragraph Reference:
113
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
We welcome in principle having regular and reliable statistics on pension sharing as it supports the understanding of financial independence in retirement. MoneyHelper provides guidance on pension sharing on divorce which is available here. His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) is responsible for collecting and colating statistics in England and Wales on pension sharing orders. We will engage with HMCTS to understand the barriers to producing regular and reliable statistics on pension sharing orders that can be published.