IrelandWhat is a pension adjustment order?
A Pension Adjustment Order (PAO) is a court order made during divorce or judicial separation proceedings in Ireland that divides a spouse’s pension benefits between the spouses.
What the Law Says
The Family Law (Divorce) Act 1996 gives the courts power to make a Pension Adjustment Order as part of financial provision on divorce. It applies only in divorce (not separation) and affects pension rights accrued during the marriage.
A Pension Adjustment Order (PAO) is a legal tool used in Irish family law to allocate a portion of one spouse’s pension entitlements to the other spouse following divorce. It does not create a new pension — instead, it adjusts how existing pension rights are distributed.
The order can apply to occupational pensions, personal pensions, and PRSA (Personal Retirement Savings Account) schemes. It may direct the pension provider to pay a specified percentage or fixed amount of the pension benefits to the former spouse, either as a lump sum or as ongoing pension payments.
Importantly, a PAO only takes effect after divorce is granted — it cannot be made before the decree of divorce is issued. It also remains in force for life, even if either party remarries or dies, unless varied by court order.
Statutory TextThe court may, on granting a decree of divorce, make an order (in this Part referred to as a 'pension adjustment order') adjusting the rights of the parties to a pension scheme.
— Family Law (Divorce) Act 1996, s. 17 — Pension adjustment orders
What to Do
Ensure divorce proceedings have been initiated and a decree of divorce has been granted.
Disclose all pension details (scheme name, provider, value, type) in your affidavit of means.
Apply to the court for a Pension Adjustment Order as part of your financial relief application.
Obtain a certified copy of the PAO and serve it on the pension scheme administrator.
Follow up with the pension provider to confirm implementation and timing of payments.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.