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From April next year, restrictions currently imposed on people who receive part of their ex-partner's pension benefits will be scrapped.

Currently, part of the pension benefits received by the non-member cannot be taken before age 60 and cannot be taken as a tax free lump sum.

In comparison, the member can take benefits from age 50 and can take 25 per cent as a tax free lump sum.

Andrew Tully, senior pensions policy manager at Standard Life, said: "This change is long overdue and will be especially beneficial to women, who are more likely to receive pension benefits as part of a divorce settlement.

"Giving people more flexibility to take pension benefits when and how it suits them best is a welcome development."