Hi,
I need some advice about my plans. We have been having Relate sessions, but nothing is changing.
Originally I was thinking that divorce was the only option open to me, but now I am not sure.

I am 58, she is 55, no kids, second marriage which has been for 6 years.

I am going to retire this time next year and travel for a while.

The house we own has had subsidence since we moved in. The insurance company have given up on repairing it and decided to make us a financial settlement. As the policy is in my name the cheque would come to me. We originally thought of buying a second property. Seeing that things are so bad between us I thought I could cut my losses, take the money and start afresh on my own. That would mean that both of us would have a house of approximate equal value. I don’t have to agree to divorce for 5 years, and by then hopefully she will have found someone else to live with. This would have a bearing on my pension which at present is looked on as an asset.

At age 60 I will have a pension I have paid into for 19 years. I understand that she can only have a part of that for the years we have been married, if she wants to pursue this. Would it be worth it? It becomes an income for me at age 60, so does this change things because it is no longer an asset?

You don't know how long the divorce procedure will take - after 2 years either of you can apply and even if its contested, it would still probably go through before 5 years is up.

Whether or not your wife remarries isn't something you can rely on.

I don't know about how your assets would be regarded - everyone's circumstances are different. But I do know that if you and your wife can agree before you get to court it will be more pleasant and much cheaper.

Hi there
Are you my Stbx!!
sounds like you want advice on how to keep the pension you built up during your marriage all for yourself !
Does your ex have a pension of her own ?
If you wanted to keep your pension intact you could give her a bigger share of the cheque so she could put some money aside for her own pension out of that .