Credit-Splitting and Private Pension Awards in Divorce

Abstract

This study examines the experience of earnings-splitting under the Canada Pension Plan and private pension assignments in British Columbia. The findings indicate that the low take-up rate of shared public pensions is primarily a result of the voluntary nature of the program. A comparably low incidence of future private pension awards to women as part of the property settlement is related to prevailing judicial attitudes, length of marriage, and the preference of women for immediate payment of cash or in-kind benefits.