The hidden pension cost of divorce for women

The gender pay gap is bad enough, but estranged wives have it even tougher
The typical 65-year-old divorced woman has a pension worth 16 per cent of a man’s, according to research
The typical 65-year-old divorced woman has a pension worth 16 per cent of a man’s, according to research
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For the first few years of her marriage Barbara McGlory, 62, was the sole breadwinner, teaching hairdressing at night school in Liverpool while her husband studied computing.

Over the years Barbara, now living in Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire, cut back her working hours to look after their three children and he became the higher earner. The couple split in 1997 and during the divorce Barbara had help from Legal Aid to separate their finances. Her husband had his own solicitor and under the terms of the settlement Barbara was given monthly child support, but no share in the family home or her husband’s two pensions. She and the children moved out.

Barbara McGlory was given no share in her husband’s pensions after their divorce in 1997
Barbara McGlory was given no share in her husband’s pensions after their divorce in 1997

Now, as she approaches retirement, Barbara is realising the financial cost of not fighting