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Form P2: the pension attachment annex

Pension attachment is less common than sharing. This is the annex that tells the provider what to pay, and to whom.

By Paige ThomsonFacts checked 20 October 2026Covers the law in England and Wales

Form P2 is the pension attachment annex: it goes with a pension attachment order, which directs a pension provider to pay part of a member’s future pension, tax-free lump sum or death benefits to their ex-spouse. It sets out the percentages and both people’s details. There is no separate fee.

Official name
Pension attachment annex under section 25B or 25C of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 or paragraph 25 or 26 of Schedule 5 to the Civil Partnership Act 2004
Court fee
None (part of the consent order or financial order)
Online or paper
Paper
Who fills it in
Usually whoever drafts the order
When
With the draft consent order, or when the court makes an attachment order
Current version
Form P2 (10.23)
Where it goes
With the order to the court, then to the pension provider

Correct at 20 October 2026. Fees from GOV.UK, Family court fees (EX50).

How do you fill in Form P2?

P2 is detailed because an attachment order can work in several ways. Only complete the parts that match your order.

Sections 1 to 4: the parties and the scheme

Give the name of the person with the pension rights, the other party, the member’s National Insurance number, and the scheme’s name, address and reference number from Form P.

Section 5A: payments from the pension

Fill in the parts that apply: the percentage of each pension payment to go to the ex-spouse; or, if the member must take a tax-free lump sum at retirement, the percentage to be taken and the share of it to pay over; or, under section 25C, the share of any lump sum payable on the member’s death.

Section 5B and the final page

Section 5B repeats these options for civil partners. The last page tells the provider where to send notices to the other party and where to pay them, including bank details if payment goes to an account. For an order made by consent, the court also confirms that notice was served on the provider and whether it objected.

What are the common mistakes on Form P2?

  • Using P2 when the order is actually a pension share (that needs P1).
  • Percentages that differ from the order.
  • Not serving notice of the application on the pension provider before the order. D81 asks whether it was served and whether the provider objected within 21 days.
  • Leaving the payment address or bank details blank, so the provider has nowhere to pay.

What happens after you send Form P2?

Once the order is made, the court sends, or tells one of you to send, the order, the annex and the final order to the pension provider (Family Procedure Rules, rule 9.36). Nothing is paid until the member’s pension or lump sum becomes payable. Keep the provider updated with any change of address.

Where do you get Form P2?

Download Form P2 from GOV.UK. A bilingual Welsh and English version is also available.

Open Form P2 on GOV.UK

We explain forms but never host them, so you always download the current version from GOV.UK.

When should you get help with Form P2?

Attachment orders leave you financially tied to your ex and depend on choices they make about retiring. A family solicitor can explain whether sharing would suit you better, and a financial adviser can model the income.

Get help with Form P2

Tell us what’s going on and we’ll introduce you to two or three family solicitors who can help. Introductions are free for you.

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Common questions

What is a pension attachment order?

It is an order telling a pension provider to pay part of the member’s pension, tax-free lump sum or death benefits to the ex-spouse when they become payable. It used to be called earmarking.

Is pension attachment the same as pension sharing?

No. Sharing transfers a percentage of the pension’s value into the ex-spouse’s own name now. Attachment leaves the pension with the member and pays part of it out later.

Does Form P2 have a fee?

No. It is part of the consent order or financial order application, which has its own fee.

Sources

  1. GOV.UK, Pension attachment annex: Form P2 (form version 10.23)
  2. GOV.UK, Form D81, questions 18 to 20 on pension notices (version 04.25)
  3. Family Procedure Rules 2010, Part 9 (financial remedies)
Form PAsk a pension provider for the details a pension order needsForm P1Tell a pension provider how to carry out a pension sharing orderForm D81Summarise both finances so a judge can approve a consent orderForm AStart a financial case, or apply for a consent order

Guides and tools

Pensions in divorceSharing, offsetting and attachmentSpousal maintenanceWho pays, how much and for how longConsent orders and clean break ordersMaking a financial agreement binding

This page is general information about court forms, not legal or financial advice. Forms, fees and rules change, so always download the current form from GOV.UK and speak to a qualified professional about your situation. Facts checked 20 October 2026.