Divorces are taking a major financial toll on people’s plans for their retirement, new research has shown [1].
Divorce rates have risen sharply since 2019 when the mandatory separation period before filing was reduced from four years to two.
4,550 divorces were granted in 2025 – 28% more than in 2019.
The survey of 215 financial advisers nationwide, undertaken by the Independent Trustee Company (ITC), found that more than four in ten (42%) reported that people often lose out on pension benefits due to divorce or separation, while a further 51% said this happens sometimes.
An additional 6% said that in their experience, this always happened, while just 1% said it never did.
Glenn Gaughran, head of business development with the ITC, said there is “a huge financial toll on divorced couples” because of the costs of the divorce and the major changes in living and family arrangements that often follow the split.
‘The impact on a pension – and in turn, an individual’s retirement – can be significant.’