New Pension Provision Proves to Be Controversial|公務員退休金 離婚配偶將可分配

The new pension system will take effect on July 1. In the future, former spouses of divorced government personnel will be able to request part of their pensions. The Ministry of Civil Service says it knew this measure would be controversial, but the New Power Party and Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Yu Mei-nu pushed the amendment to pass. Yu said this change helps provide for the financially weaker spouse.


The new pension system for government functionaries will take effect on July 1. Last year, legislators added a provision to the system to allow the former spouses of divorced government functionaries to request part of their pensions. Many government functionaries have expressed their opposition to this provision. The Ministry of Civil Service said it was against this provision.

We of course had misgivings because the new items were not assessed. The party caucus and the New Power Party insisted on this policy.

The ministry says the new pension system will go into effect on July 1. Former spouses of government functionaries who have been divorced for at least two years can request a portion of the pensions, which will be allocated based on the length of the marriage. If a government functionary worked for 30 years and divorced after 13 years of marriage, with the marriage time accounting for one-third of the working time, and receives a retirement pension of one half of the salary, then the ex-spouse can apply to get one-sixth of the pension. The legislators who supported this change say it is meant to provide guarantees for the financially weaker spouse, such as homemakers.

You work, but your spouse doesn't. So, part of the money you earn is used to accumulate your pension. How long have you been married? Your spouse has made contributions during this time, and is entitled to make requests. Moreover, we're not asking you to make any calculations, your employer will make deductions and calculations for you.

Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Yu Mei-nu adds there was already controversy over whether pensions should be included in the division of remaining assets following divorce. Germany and Japan have stipulated that pensions are included in remaining assets for division. Courts can also adjust the amounts based on special circumstances such as affairs. At present, the provision only applies to ex-spouses who are full-time homemakers. There are no related provisions for labor pensions or military pensions.