Divorce is very rarely simple, especially when it comes to achieving equitable financial separation. Before contemplating divorce, couples should first seek to understand the impact that it will have on their retirement savings and what options are available to them.
- The nature of your marriage contract matters
The first step in understanding the impact on your retirement funding in the event of divorce is to understand the nature of your marriage contract. If you are married in community of property, all retirement funds will form part of the joint estate and, in the event of divorce, each spouse will be entitled to a 50% share of the joint estate. The only exception to this would be where the court grants a forfeiture order in terms of Section 9 of the Divorce Act where one spouse’s pension interests could be awarded to the other if it is found that the member spouse benefited unduly from the marriage. Where a couple is married out of community of property without the accrual after 1 November 1984, each spouse will retain their own assets – including retirement fund benefits – and no claim against each other in respect of pension interest will arise. Where a couple was married prior to 1 November 1984, while each spouse will retain their own assets, Section 7(3) of the Divorce Act makes allowance for a spouse to bring an application for a redistribution of assets – which can include a member spouse’s pension interests – if that spouse can demonstrate that she contributed directly or indirectly to the other spouse’s estate during the subsistence of the marriage. Where a couple is married with the accrual system, the value of their respective retirement funds will be taken into account when determining the accrual.
- You can exclude your retirement funds in terms of your ante-nuptial contract
Couple who choose to marry out of community of property will need to enter into an ante-nuptial contract before marriage which effectively alters the financial consequences of marriage in line with the couple’s wishes. A couple is free to tailor-make their ante-nuptial contact to suit their needs, provided that the terms of the contract are not illegal or immoral. This means that, where a couple chooses the accrual system, they can elect to expressly exclude their retirement funds from the accrual. In the event of divorce, each spouse’s retirement fund assets will not be taken into account in the accrual calculation.
- The pension interest calculation differs for retirement annuities
The calculation used to determine the pension interest in respect of retirement annuities differs from that used in respect of pension, provident and preservation funds. When calculating pension interest in the latter, the pension interest is the total benefit to which the member spouse would have been entitled to in terms of the fund rules if their membership had terminated due to resignation at the date of divorce. On the other hand, pension interest in respect of a retirement annuity refers to the total amount of the member spouse’s contributions to the fund up to the date of divorce plus simple interest at the prescribed rate.
- The duration of your marriage does not impact your pension interest
When calculating the pension interest of the non-member spouse, keep in mind that the pension interest calculation is done as at the date of the divorce. The calculation does not take into account how long the marriage subsisted for, nor whether the couple was married when the member spouse joined the fund. The calculation depends purely on the type of retirement fund, and the pension interest award is determined by the nature of the matrimonial property regime.
- Cohabiting couples have no claim for pension interest
Cohabiting couples do not have a right to claim a share of the member spouse’s pension interest. The right to claim a share of the member spouse’s pension interest is legislated in terms of the Divorce Act of 1979 and, for these purposes, the right does not extend to couples who choose to live together rather than get married. Couples who choose to live together and who wish to protect their financial futures should consider entering into a domestic partnership agreement.
- Living annuities are excluded from pension interest calculations
Pension interest as defined by Section 1 of the Divorce Act makes it clear that it applies to the spouse’s pension interest in a retirement fund as at the date of divorce. Where a member spouse retires from the fund prior to the date of divorce and uses the proceeds, or part thereof, to purchase living annuity, the annuity does not fall within the definition of ‘pension interest, and the non-member spouse cannot claim against the annuity for a payout. This is because the nature of a living annuity is such that the annuitant as a right to the annuity income but not to the underlying capital. The annuitant cannot make a lump sum withdrawal from a living annuity and, as such, his spouse cannot claim a portion of the invested capital. However, divorcing couples should keep in mind that any annuity income received should be taken into account when determining future maintenance needs. Particularly relevant where a couple is married with the accrual system is that the courts have recently found that the value of an annuity-holder’s future annuity payments should be considered an asset in the estate for accrual purposes. How that value of that asset should be determined is still sub judice and it remains to be seen how the courts will give effect to this valuation.
- Muslim marriages
Where a couple is married in terms of Islamic law only, the Pension Funds Adjudicator has rules that a non-member spouse to such a marriage will have a claim against the member spouse’s pension.
- Divorcing couples can design their own settlement
While the Divorce Act sets out the manner in which pension interest should be calculated, it is important to bear in mind that divorcing couples remain free to structure their own divorce settlement agreement and are not bound by the pension interest legislation. Where a divorce is an amicable one, or where effective mediation is sought, a couple is free to structure a separation of assets that is in line with their needs and respective circumstances.
- The wording of the divorce order is paramount
It is absolutely essential that the divorce order is clearly worded and meets all legal requirements. Specifically, where a non-member spouse is awarded a share of the member spouse’s pension interest, the divorce order must clearly name the retirement fund and must clearly stipulate the percentage interest to be paid over to the non-member spouse. If there is any vagueness in the divorce order, the retirement fund can refuse to pay out the pension interest and the non-member spouse will need to approach the courts to have the divorce order amended.
- The non-member spouse is liable for tax
Where a non-member spouse is awarded a portion of the member spouse’s pension interest, any cash lump sum will be taxed in the hands of the non-member spouse as per the Income Tax Act. Where the non-member spouses elects to transfer the full benefit to an approved retirement fund, no tax will be paid on transfer, although the proceeds will be taxed in her hands upon future withdrawal or when she retires from the fund.
Have a great day.
Sue
