Police Pensions

Hi
Does anyone know if the rules on police pensions have changed. I was divorced in 2006 and got half my husbands pension but I can't receive it until I am 60. He retired in Jan 2008 and gets his half.

I was told last week that the rules have changed and ex wives can get their pension when their husbands retire.

If this is correct can I try to get mine now as I am medically retired and could do with the extra funds.

Hi

I got a pension sharing order when I divorced my police officer husband. He receives his half next year, but I have to wait until I am 60.

Seems very unfair.

Jo x

I am not a lawyer, nor an accountant so I am happy to be contradicted if I am wrong but my understanding was that Police and Army Personnel (but not civilian employees) have a contract with their employer stating they can get their pensions early. The spouse, of course, has no contract with the employer and so has to wait for what is now their pension until their own legal retirement age.

The change to which you refer was for Army pensions which are now payable to ex-spouses at 55 not 60, but I believe there is an actuarial reduction (i.e. you will get the money for longer, therefore each monthly payment will be less) if you choose to do so.

Therefore please tread carefully and get proper advice from an expert - any experts lurking????

Hi Jo

I think it is extremely unfair that they can get their half and we have to wait until we are 60. I really need the money now as I can't work through no fault of my own. I am waiting for an answer from the police pensions office.

Elaine

Jo

I've been looking at some of your posts and our situation is so similar. Shame we can't talk privately, I'm sure we would have a great chat. What part of the country are you in? that's if it is allowed

Elaine

I think the new rules may well apply to police as well as MOD pensions. I can't get my head around why, if a wife takes the pension at 55, same as husband, then it is significantly reduced. This has been discussed on the forum before but I still don't get it. I understand that women live longer than men so I can see why it would be reduced a little - it is likely to be paid for longer. But 10 years! Women don't statistically live 10 years longer!

I think it is just the government's way of keeping our money. It is totally wrong, I went through all those years of marriage looking forward to my husband retiring early so we could have our life. Now I feel as though I'm back to square one living on a basic income. The only holidays and extras I can have are paid for by my son. He shouldn't be having to do this for me. I am constantly hearing my ex is going on holiday and his last one was sailing round the med!!! We do all the hard work bringing up the kids, working myself and putting up with the shifts and bad moods when they are on nights etc and she gets the good bit.