We act for clients of all ages, but there may be an increase in divorce amongst those of retirement age when the pension changes, due to take place in April 2015, come into play.
More often couples of retirement age have taken the decision to divorce as there is no longer a stigma attached divorce, due to changes in social attitudes; And the prospect of a much longer retirement as people now live longer.
By John Bingham, Social Affairs Editor10:00PM GMT 27 Dec 2014 George Osborne’s pension reforms are set to trigger a rush of interest in “silver splitter” divorces as middle class stay-at-home wives use their new access to cash to start a new life, lawyers predict. The overhaul, due to come into force in April, will make it much easier and cheaper for people to withdraw money directly from their pension pots rather than buying an annuity. Family lawyers say one unintended outcome could be to encourage wives who have quietly considered divorce in the past, but put off any decision, to press ahead. Official figures have shown a marked increase in divorce among couples around retirement age in recent years.
