Divorce slashes women’s household incomes far more than men’s.
Wives can expect their income to be halved in the year after ending the relationship, compared with a 30% drop for husbands.
One woman complained: “Why would the settlement be a 50-50 split when my earning capability is a quarter of what he earns? She is a nurse on £25,000 a year while her ex-husband earns six figures.
Double the number of divorced women have cut their hours to manage caring responsibilities compared with men according to research by Legal and General.
There are a lot of cases where married women prioritise the family unit over their own financial well-being and long-term earning potential.
Pensions are one of the three main assets divided in any divorce settlement, alongside capital and housing. But there is a lack of awareness, understanding and interest in pensions on divorce.
Women are far more likely to surrender any rights over pensions as they often prioritise the family home.
Lack of understanding is common in divorce proceedings. That’s because pension sharing requires a court order.
And there is less understanding of the process since legal aid for private family proceedings in England and Wales was cut in 2015.
37% of divorcees did not know the value of their own pension (let alone their ex-spouse’s) pension.
In December, the Law Commission published a report on whether the Matrimonial Causes Act of 1973 needs reform.
The government was given six months to respond and decide whether the commission should investigate further. That deadline is nearly upon us.