Why do I need a PODE Lite report?
Not every divorce needs a full PODE report. But if your marital assets include pensions expert input can really help. You will end up with a fairer settlement and better long term outcomes for both parties. A PODE Lite report is designed for less complex cases, when you don’t need a full PODE report but do still need expert guidance.
Expert input is especially important when:
There’s over £100k in Defined Contribution (DC) pensions
There’s a big difference in State Pension forecasts
There’s a significant age gap between you and your soon-to-be-ex
These issues can seriously distort what seems “fair” if left unexamined.
Why do large Defined Contribution (DC) pensions matter?
DC pensions, like personal pensions or SIPPs, don’t promise a fixed income. Instead, they’re investment pots that grow (or shrink) depending on the markets. When you retire, you can take money out flexibly, but how much you get depends on how long you live, when you draw it, and how you invest it.
So, why does this matter in divorce?
Because a £200,000 DC pot for a 55-year-old isn’t worth the same as a £200,000 DC pot for a 65-year-old. One of you will need to stretch it over more years. One of you might start drawing it sooner. One of you might take cash, the other income. That makes “splitting it down the middle” far more complicated than it looks.
What about State Pension differences?
If one of you has a higher State Pension forecast, that means more secure income in retirement. But this often gets overlooked - especially if you’ve taken time out to raise children or worked part-time.
Even a £30/week gap could add up to over £30,000 in lifetime income.
The PODE Lite report can factor that in, so you don’t walk away with an invisible disadvantage.
And why does the age gap matter?
The younger you are, the longer your pension needs to last. If one of you is ten years younger, you may need a bigger share of the pot just to have an equal income in retirement.
A PODE Lite report models these effects and tells you how to adjust fairly.
So what does the report actually do?
A PODE Lite report gives you:
A clear picture of what the pensions are worth in real-life terms, not just numbers on a page
A recommendation on how to share or offset them fairly
Peace of mind that your settlement is based on facts, not guesswork
Remember, this report is not a court-ready document. If you need a court report, this will be a full PODE report.
The Bottom Line
You might not need the full complexity of a full PODE report but this doesn’t mean your case is simple. Even without complex pensions it is still vital that you don’t overlook how to best share your pensions.
If you’ve got substantial pensions, State Pension differences, or an age gap, a PODE Lite report ensures you’re not walking away from money you’ll need later, or agreeing to something that feels fair now but fails you in retirement.
Small mistakes here can cost you tens of thousands. The PODE Lite report keeps things accurate, fair, and future-proof.