Does my client need a PODE report?
Pension treatment in divorce has evolved.
With the publication of PAG2 guidance and increased judicial scrutiny, the legal imperative to obtain fuller pension analysis is growing.
But clients can be resistant to the extra expense and it’s sometimes difficult to know what they really need. We can help.
When expert pension evidence is likely required
You should strongly consider instructing a PODE specialist pension divorce report where:
There is a Defined Benefit (final salary) pension
There are multiple pensions across different scheme types
Pension values are materially unequal
Offsetting is being proposed
Retirement ages differ significantly
The court has directed expert evidence
There is any dispute over pension value or division
In these cases, reliance on CEV figures alone is rarely sufficient.
A properly prepared pension sharing report provides defensible, court-ready analysis aligned with PAG2 expectations.
When a full report may not be proportionate
Not every case requires full expert modelling. A more streamlined approach (such as a PODE Lite report) may be proportionate where:
All pensions are Defined Contribution schemes
Pension values are modest
There is broad agreement between parties
There is no proposed offsetting
The matter is progressing by consent
The key is proportionality, without compromising fairness.
I’m not quite sure what my client needs…
We’ve developed a short online assessment to determine whether your clients:
Needs a full PODE report or a Full PODE report + Offsetting
Whether a PODE Lite report is sufficient
Or whether expert input is unnecessary
It ‘s zero cost and in a few minutes you’ll have instant clarity and a credible start point for a conversation with your client.