In a divorce, a pension plan may be more valuable than any other asset a couple has. Divorcing couples in Texas might want to consult an attorney regarding the division of their pension plans as these assets are subject to special rules. For those who would like to roughly estimate how a pension plan might be divided, some general rules will apply in many cases. 

The first step is to determine whether the pension plan is a defined benefit plan or a defined contribution plan. In the former, the plan pays out a guaranteed monthly amount when the person retires. In the latter, the amount of pension payments depends on how investments have done. For people who have defined benefit plans, their value depends on life expectancy. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention maintains data on life expectancy.