The pensions are often the biggest thing to sort out in a divorce, and the hardest to understand. Working out whether you need a Pension on Divorce Expert (PODE), and finding the right one, can feel like a minefield. I built PODE.expert to help you make sense of it.
This site covers divorce in England and Wales. Scotland has a separate legal system for divorce, and Scottish cases are not covered here.
Phil O'Connor, Chartered Financial Planner and Resolution Accredited Specialist
Divorce is one of life's most stressful events, and it rarely arrives alone. So it's no surprise if pensions, the most confusing part of a financial settlement, are the last thing you have energy for. But this is one decision you only get to make once, and getting it right protects your future. That's what I'm here to help you do.
The questions almost everyone asks at this point:
Is my case really complex enough to justify the cost, or is this overkill?
You've been told pensions are "apples vs pears," but not why, or that a single transfer value can badly mislead.
Which expert, sole or joint, what to ask, and how to avoid spending thousands you didn't need to.
There's never been a single place to do all three, so I built one.
Take my free 2-minute check for an indicative Red / Amber / Green steer.
Do I need a PODE? →Search my directory of verified PODEs by specialism, location, fee and timescale. Every expert is vetted and verified before I list them.
Find a PODE →How a PODE is instructed shapes the result. A poorly instructed report can mean a worse financial outcome. As an independent guide, I help you and your solicitor/mediator instruct the right expert properly, bridging the gap between you and the PODE.
Talk to me →Answer a few simple questions about the pensions in your case and my free check gives you a clear Red / Amber / Green steer on whether a PODE report is likely to be needed. It's based on the Pension Advisory Group's guidance (PAG2), indicative, not advice, and completely free.
A Pension on Divorce Expert (PODE) is a qualified professional, usually an actuary or financial specialist, who analyses the pensions in a divorce and produces an independent, court-compliant comparison of each spouse's pension rights, under Part 25 of the Family Procedure Rules.
Pensions are frequently the biggest asset in a financial settlement on divorce, and the least understood. Two pensions with the same headline transfer value can be worth very different amounts in real life: a guaranteed income for life is not the same as a pot of money. That's the "apples vs pears" problem, and it's exactly what a PODE is there to untangle, whether through pension sharing, offsetting, or a combination of the two.
A PODE report typically costs from around £1,500, rising to £5,000 or more (plus VAT) for more complex cases. That's not small, which is exactly why it's worth being sure before you commit. Sometimes a full report isn't needed at all, and part of my job is telling you that before you spend a penny. Start with the free check; if you'd like a second opinion on your own situation, just ask.
Search my directory of verified PODEs and filter to the right fit, by specialism, location, fee range and timescale, or see them on the map. Every expert is vetted and verified before listing, so you can shortlist with confidence.
I'm Phil O'Connor, a Resolution-accredited financial specialist and trained mediator, and I run On-Divorce. I've spent 20-plus years helping clients, mediators and solicitors through divorce settlements and pensions. There's never been one central place to find, instruct and understand PODEs, so I built it. Once you know a report is likely needed, I'll help you choose the right expert, on the right basis, and ask the right questions.
"This is a great new tool for family justice professionals, put together by one of the smartest minds in our field."
"This is a seriously great resource! User-friendly, reassuring and a reliable and helpful place for clients to start to understand and de-mystify how they can sort out pensions on divorce."
"As a McKenzie Friend I really struggle to navigate one aspect of financial cases, Pensions. Often my clients ask me 'Do I need a PODE report' and honestly I really struggle to answer and we often end up leaning into what the judge tells us to do, but this is NOT ideal. That's why I am so pleased to be able to recommend this new service from someone I trusted to help me in the past, Phil O'Connor. Now I will be recommending my financial clients to this service."
"He was always calm, kept things simple, and made sure I understood every decision. Having Phil on board literally saved me thousands in solicitors' fees, the best investment you'll make."
Use the directory to find a verified PODE for your client. My guidance on when to instruct, choosing an expert and drafting letters of instruction is on the way, or just get in touch.