The retirement account has a balance. The pension has a projected monthly payment. The couple has spent decades planning to enjoy both together. Then the marriage ends, and suddenly those retirement numbers need to support two separate households.
Divorce after 30 years can turn retirement planning into a very different exercise. Your spouse’s name does not need to appear on a retirement account for them to have a potential claim to part of it. State law, the type of account, and the divorce agreement all influence the outcome. A long marriage also raises questions about pensions, taxes, and Social Security that younger couples may never face.
