Divorced Spouses Face Pension Split Deadlines: Know the 5-Year Rule

Divorced individuals cannot receive their ex-spouse's pension directly; instead, the pension records from the marriage are split, affecting future benefits. A deadline applies, varying by divorce date. For divorces on or after April 1, 2026, the request period is generally within five years, extended from the previous two years. For divorces before that date, the two-year limit still applies. Two mechanisms exist: "agreed division" for negotiated splits and "Category 3 division" for automatic half-splits of records for dependent spouses, with specific conditions and no consent required.