Re:CETV - Provider Charges

Trying not to hijack - hope this is on-thread
Just what divorce relevant info can you get for free from your pension scheme?
NAPF list freebies and charges at
http://www.napf.co.uk/DocumentArchive/Policy/Reports and Responses to Consultations/11_2006/20060301_Pension sharing scale of charges - Mar 06.p
(I've asked NAPF but had no reply)
NAPF says:
"Produce CETV quotation no charge
1. This is a standard entitlement
under regulations"
So you can request a CETV from any pension scheme once a year for free?
Is the Army Pension Scheme a member of NAPF?

"Additional CETV quotations - £150-£200
Any more than one quotation a year
can be charged for."

"Provision of other information £0 Up to £250
Information which does not have to be
provided free may be charged for.
Cost will depend upon the nature and
complexity of the enquiry."

So - apart from an annual CETV what other pension information required for divorce purposes does the pension scheme have to provide for free?

Hope I'm not too far off thread - still about the information members can get from final salary pension schemes for free just by asking:
in a complaint decided by the Pensions Ombudsman:
we're told the pension holder's solicitor wrote to the Civil Service Scheme for information and -apparently for free? - the scheme calculated the two pensions as they would be after 75/25 sharing :
"Those letters were in response to requests for information from solicitors acting for Mr Clark in his divorce from his wife (now called Ms Russell-Clark). .......
“If Mrs Clark were to receive a 25% pension share the benefits would be calculated as follows:
CETV @ 31.05.2004 is £661,612.56 x 25% = 165,403.14
165,403.14 = 137,950.90 1.1900
11.93 + (3 x 0.85) = 14.48
137,950.90 = 9526.99 pension 14.48
9526.99 x 3 = 28,580.99 lump sum .............
In order to scale the benefits payable to Mrs Clark you need to change the percentage highlighted. All other factors will remain the same for a calculation date of 31.05.2004.”
(The lump sum was reduced to take account of contributions for widow’s pension that the records showed as outstanding)."
If a solicitor can write to the scheme and ask what each pension would like look after the sharing and get the answer for free - why don't we all do that and why isn't it included in the pension sharing regulations?

My ex has been granted 40% of my forces pension. Today I have received a letter from them stating that I have to pay £352 within 21 days for this to be done. First I did not agree with the court order and second I refuse to pay. If she wants it she can pay for it, and why is this so expensive. I have never asked for a CETV before? its all gone through by her and her sol behind my back.

Whether you agree with the order or not, the order was made and if you chose not to lodge an appeal, the order is valid and enforceable.

It is customary to share the fees associated with implementing a pension sharing order. The fee that is required is to cover the expense of the pension Trustees to deal with the calculations and the administration.

If the order of the court specified that the fees were to be split equally then you have to pay. If you refuse to pay the other side will apply to enforce the order and you will end up paying the fee plus their costs of the application which are likely to be around £1000.

Charles

It seems that D_S is right. The armed forces do indeed charge for a CETV even if you are not in your last year before retiring. A friend of mine has just been through this. They do provide a valuation for free but specifically say that it is not a CETV and it is not suitable for divorce puposes.
It is interesting to see that there is also a charge of several hundred pounds for implementing a pension sharing order.

I found a good site for Service pensions including fees..took some digging around but glad I did.

http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/WhatWeDo/Perso nnel/Pensions/ArmedForcesPensions/ FindOutAboutPensionsOnDivorce.htm

I actually came here to see if the free evaluation would be any good for a divorce and so now discover it is not...thanks

But I think anyone in this situation needs to have a read..

Thank you, that is an excellent link.