Do You Need a PODE Report in Your Divorce?

Here's What to Know About Pensions Over £100k  

Dividing pensions during divorce can be one of the most complex – and often misunderstood – parts of reaching a financial settlement. Pensions can be the largest asset of a marriage, often more valuable than the equity in the family home. If you or your ex have pension benefits over £100,000, it’s very likely that a PODE report will be needed.    

But what is a PODE? What role do they play? And how can we help?  

What is a PODE Report?  

A PODE is a Pensions on Divorce Expert – usually an actuary or pension specialist, such as some financial planners or advisers, who is qualified to provide an independent, impartial analysis of pensions in the context of divorce.    

They are instructed to produce a report that can be used by solicitors, mediators, financial planners, and the courts to help understand the true value of each party’s pension rights – particularly when it comes to ensuring a fair outcome.    

Importantly, PODEs do not give advice, make recommendations or build future cashflow models. Their role is to provide a technical, neutral analysis to assist others in making informed decisions. They are generally instructed by both parties as a Single Joint Expert (SJE).  

What is the PAG Report?  

The Pensions Advisory Group (PAG) report, first published in 2019 and widely adopted by the family courts, provides clear guidance on how pensions should be treated on divorce. One of its key messages is that pension division should focus on income equality in retirement rather than just comparing the cash values or CETVs (cash equivalent transfer values).    

The PAG report makes clear that, particularly where pensions exceed £100,000, a formal report from a PODE is usually essential to support a fair and informed settlement.  

Why a PODE Report is Crucial for Pensions Over £100k  

When pensions are a significant marital asset – especially if they are Defined Benefit pensions (such as NHS, teachers, armed forces, or other final salary schemes) – trying to divide them without expert analysis can lead to major inequalities.  

Here’s why a PODE report matters:  

• CETVs can be misleading: The cash equivalent value of a pension doesn’t always reflect its real-world income value.  
• Not all pensions are equal: Different pension types have different rules, guarantees, and benefits. PODEs help clarify these differences.  
• The court expects it: In cases where pensions are significant and complex, judges expect to see expert evidence from a PODE.  
• Enables fair decision-making: The report allows everyone involved to understand the relative values of each party’s pension rights in a consistent and credible way.  

We Don’t Write PODE Reports – But We Can Help  

Although we don’t produce PODE reports ourselves, we work closely with PODEs, solicitors, and clients throughout the process. Here’s how we can support you:  

• Instruction letters: We help draft and review the letter of instruction to the PODE to make sure the right information and questions are included.  
• Interpreting the report: Once the PODE report is received, we help you understand what it means in practice.  
• Planning the next step: With the insight from the PODE report, we can use professional software and our knowledge to show what different pension outcomes may mean for your future.  

A Financial Planner Who Specialises in Divorce Can Be Your Guide  

We work alongside your legal team to ensure:  

• You’re asking the right questions  
• The pensions are considered in the right way  
• You understand what each option means for your future    

This combination of expert analysis from the PODE and real-world planning support from us can make all the difference in helping you feel informed and in control.  

Get In Touch  

If pensions are a key part of your divorce settlement, don’t leave them to chance. The PODE report gives you the technical foundation – and we help turn that into a clear, confident path forward.    

We’re here to guide and support you every step of the way.  

Tamsin Caine
Tamsin is a Chartered Financial Planner with over 20 years experience. She works with couples and individuals who are at the end of a relationship and want agree how to divide their assets FAIRLY without a fight.

You can contact Tamsin at tamsin@smartdivorce.co.uk or arrange a free initial meeting using https://bit.ly/SmDiv15min. She is also part of the team running Facebook group Separation, Divorce and Dissolution UK

Tamsin Caine MSc., FPFS
Chartered Financial Planner
Smart Divorce Ltd
https://smartdivorce.co.uk

P.S. I am the co-author of “My Divorce Handbook – It’s What You Do Next That Counts”, written by divorce specialists and lawyers writing about their area of expertise to help walk you through the divorce process. You can buy it here https://yourdivorcehandbook.co.uk/buy-the-book/