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Why Teachers Must Get Pension Valuations Before Divorce

By Mark Keenan • Updated on March 26, 2025

If you’re a teacher going through a divorce, getting an accurate Cash Equivalent Transfer Value (CETV) from the Teachers’ Pension Scheme is a crucial step in dividing finances fairly. But many teachers are facing long delays—often waiting several weeks or even months for valuations to arrive.

These delays can stall the divorce process, create unnecessary stress, and in some cases, lead to unfair financial settlements.

In this post, we’ll explain why CETVs are important, how long they typically take, what causes the delays, and what you can do now to avoid hold-ups later in the divorce process.

Table Of Contents

    Why Teachers Should Get Pension Valuations Before Starting Divorce Proceedings

    A recent BBC article highlights growing concerns that teachers are losing out on pension entitlements during divorce—largely due to a lack of clear guidance and long delays in getting valuations.

    As someone who has helped over 200,000 people navigate divorce over the past 25 years, I can confirm this is a real and persistent problem, particularly when it comes to public sector pensions like the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS).

    ⚠️ What’s the Issue?

    Pensions—often the second-largest marital asset after the home—are frequently ignored in divorce conversations. Teachers sometimes underestimate the value of their TPS benefits, and their ex-spouses may not realise they have a legal claim to a share.

    The Cash Equivalent Transfer Value (CETV), which is needed to disclose the value of a pension, is rarely requested until late in the process. By then, settlement discussions may already be underway.

    ✅ What Should Teachers Do?

    At Divorce-Online.co.uk, we now advise clients—especially public sector workers like teachers—to request pension valuations before they even begin the divorce process.

    This gives them the time to:

    Fully understand the value of their retirement benefits

    Prepare accurate financial disclosure (such as Form E)

    Avoid costly delays and disagreements later in the process

    You can request your CETV directly through the Teachers’ Pensions website here:
    🔗 Get a Pension Estimate – Teachers’ Pensions

    🧠 Practical Advice for Teachers

    Request CETVs from all pension schemes early—some providers like TPS can take 15 months to respond.

    Include the Teachers’ Pension Scheme even if it feels too complicated—it’s still a marital asset.

    Use a Consent Order to legally finalise any financial agreement. This prevents either party from making future claims.

    💬 Final Word

    Divorce is emotional—but it must also be fair. Teachers, like any professionals, deserve to have their contributions valued properly. Don’t leave it to the last minute. Get valuations early, especially if you’re planning a clean break or pension sharing.

    We offer a Fixed-Fee Consent Order Service for £399, and we always ask clients about pensions up front—even if they think they don’t matter.

    Being prepared can protect your future.

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    Mark Keenan
    Written by:

    Mark Keenan

    Founder & CEO

    Mark Keenan is the Founder & CEO of Divorce-Online.co.uk and Director of Business Development at OLS Solicitors, a UK-regulated law firm specialising in family law. With over 20 years’ experience in divorce and financial settlements, Mark has helped hundreds of thousands of people navigate divorce, consent orders, clean break agreements, prenuptial agreements, and separation agreements through accessible, fixed-fee legal services. He founded Divorce-Online, the UK’s original online divorce service, to make the divorce process clearer, faster, and more affordable. Through its close working relationship with OLS Solicitors, Divorce-Online connects clients with SRA-regulated solicitors for legally binding work, including court-approved financial orders. Mark is a recognised commentator on UK divorce law. He regularly provides expert insight to the media on topics including divorce reform, financial settlements, and the impact of family law on separating couples.