What is a PODE?
A PODE (Pensions on Divorce Expert) is a neutral pension specialist who helps ensure pensions are divided fairly during divorce. They are most often instructed jointly by both parties or their solicitors to give expert insight into the pension aspect of a financial settlement.
Their role can include:
Translating pension complexity into plain English
Clarifying what part of the pension is “marital” vs “non-marital”
Providing options for fair division including pension sharing, offsetting, or cash alternatives
Producing legally robust reports suitable for court use
Why You Might Need One
You may need a PODE in one or more of these situations:
One or both parties have a Defined Benefit (e.g. final salary or CARE) pension
The pensions total more than £100,000
There’s a big age gap or health factors affecting retirement
One party is considering trading pension for cash or property (offsetting)
The split needs to be fair in terms of income in retirement, not just lump sum value
A PODE does not give financial advice. Even though they are instructed by the divorcing parties (or their solicitors), a PODE serves the court, rather than either individual to ensure pension decisions are based on fair and accurate analysis.
What Can You Expect From a PODE Report?
A clear breakdown of each party’s pension assets
Projections of future income in retirement and what that is worth today
A comparison of sharing vs offsetting options
Impartial recommendations based on your specific situation
The Bottom Line
If you’re going through a divorce, don’t underestimate the value of pensions - they’re often worth as much as the house, if not more.
A PODE helps you understand what’s fair, explains your options, and provides you with the clarity needed to make confident decisions about your future.
Think of the PODE as your pension translator - cutting through the jargon, demystifying the process, and ensuring neither party walks away in the dark.