How do Duxbury tables work in a clean break calculation?

Duxbury tables calculate the lump sum needed to generate a specific annual income stream for the recipient's statistical lifetime. The fund is invested at a real return rate of approximately 2.5-3% and drawn down annually, exhausting to zero at the end of life expectancy. Multipliers are higher for younger recipients and women.

UK Clean Break Calculator 2026

Calculate the lump sum needed to achieve a clean break in England & Wales using Duxbury methodology. Capitalise periodical payments, model pension offsetting, and compare settlement approaches under Section 25 MCA 1973.

Updated April 2026 Duxbury Methodology · MCA s.25A Private — runs in your browser

Higher Earner Annual Income

Lower Earner Annual Income

Years of Marriage

yrs

Total Matrimonial Assets

Combined marital property value

Recipient Age

yrs

Recipient Gender

Clean Break Lump Sum Estimate

£297,987

Income Differential£53,000/yr

Annual Maintenance Est.£11,872/yr

Duxbury Multiplier25.1×

50% of Matrimonial Assets£210,000

A clean break order in England & Wales ends all future financial claims between the parties. The lump sum replaces ongoing periodical payments (maintenance) and is calculated using Duxbury tables to capitalise future maintenance.

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Compare all settlement approaches (equal split, pension offset, needs-based, Duxbury capitalisation), full Duxbury table by age and gender, and needs-based clean break analysis.

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Case Details

Payer Annual Income

Recipient Annual Income

Marriage Years

yrs

Total Matrimonial Assets

Home Equity

Payer Pension (CETV)

Recipient Pension (CETV)

Recipient Age

yrs

Recipient Gender

Annual Maintenance Est.

£16,203/yr

Duxbury ×24.1

Capitalised Amount

£389,674

Clean break lump sum

Settlement Approach Comparison

50% Assets

£275,000

Home + offset

£276,000

Pension offset

£367,500

Capital + maint.

£389,674

Needs-based

£234,667

English courts apply the Section 25 MCA 1973 factors: needs, resources, standard of living, age, marriage duration, contributions, disability, conduct (rarely). The paramount consideration is the welfare of minor children. Clean break is preferred where financially viable.

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Full asset and income analysis, Duxbury fund drawdown chart showing fund exhaustion over time, what-if sensitivity analysis, and comprehensive Section 25 settlement comparison.

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Assets & Income

Payer Annual Income

Recipient Annual Income

Marriage Years

yrs

Home Value

Mortgage Balance

Other Marital Assets

Payer Pension (CETV)

Recipient Pension (CETV)

Joint Debts

Recipient Age

yrs

Recipient Gender

Recipient Monthly Needs

Clean Break Settlement Summary

£451,122

Asset Position

Home equity: £300,000

Other assets: £58,000

Less debts: −£12,000

Net: £346,000

Maintenance Capitalisation

Annual: £19,320/yr

Duxbury ×: 23.4

Capital: £451,122

Equal split (non-pension)£290,500

Needs-based capital£457,660

Pension gap offset£139,000

Settlement Approaches

Equal division of matrimonial assets

Starting point per White v White [2000]

£179,000

Equal + pension offset (50%)

Recipient takes more non-pension assets

£318,000

Needs-based (capitalised)

Based on £3800/mo need shortfall

£457,660

Maintenance capitalised (Duxbury)

£19k/yr × 23.4

£451,122

What Is a Clean Break Settlement in England & Wales?

A clean break order is a court order that severs all future financial claims between divorcing spouses in England and Wales. Rather than ongoing periodical payments (maintenance), one spouse receives a lump sum that capitalises the value of future maintenance — permanently ending the financial relationship.

Why Courts Favour Clean Break Orders

English courts are directed to consider whether it is appropriate to impose a clean break (Section 25A Matrimonial Causes Act 1973). A clean break is preferred when:

Both parties can financially sustain themselves independently
Sufficient capital exists to capitalise ongoing maintenance
The marriage was shorter or neither party sacrificed career advancement
Both parties want finality and no ongoing financial connection

The Duxbury Calculation

The Duxbury methodology (from Duxbury v Duxbury [1987]) calculates the lump sum needed to produce an annual income stream for the rest of the recipient's life. Key features:

Fund is invested and drawn down annually
Based on actuarial life expectancy tables (updated annually in At A Glance)
Assumes a real investment return (typically 2.5–3%)
Fund exhausts to zero at statistical end of life
Multipliers are higher for younger recipients and women (longer life expectancy)

Annual Maintenance Estimate = Income Differential × 28% × Marriage Factor
Duxbury Multiplier = f(age, gender) — from At A Glance tables
Clean Break Lump Sum = Annual Maintenance × Duxbury Multiplier

Example — Clean Break Calculation

Payer income: £90,000/yr. Recipient income: £28,000/yr. Marriage: 14 years. Recipient: woman, age 47.

Income Differential£62,000/yr

Marriage Factor (14/15)93%

Annual Maintenance Est.~£16,150/yr

Duxbury Multiplier (age 47, woman)~25.5×

Clean Break Lump Sum~£412,000

Official Sources & Legal References

Frequently Asked Questions

What is pension offsetting in a clean break settlement? ▼

Pension offsetting means one spouse keeps a larger share of non-pension assets (such as the family home) in exchange for the other spouse retaining their full pension. It avoids the need for a pension sharing order (QDRO equivalent). The offset is based on the pension's Cash Equivalent Transfer Value (CETV), though a Pension on Divorce Expert (PODE) report may be needed for accuracy, particularly for defined benefit pensions.

Can a clean break order be reopened? ▼

A properly drafted clean break order permanently bars future financial claims. It cannot be varied or appealed unless there was fraud, material non-disclosure, or in very exceptional circumstances (such as a subsequent windfall immediately following the settlement under the Barder principle). This finality is one of the main advantages of clean break over ongoing maintenance orders.

How do Duxbury tables differ from a straight multiplier calculation? ▼

The official Duxbury tables (published annually in At A Glance) use actuarial life expectancy data, assumed real investment return rates, and income tax adjustments. A simple multiplier approach used here approximates this but will differ from precise Duxbury figures. For court use or significant settlements, always use the current year's At A Glance tables or specialist software (e.g. Duxbury Calculator software).

What factors do English courts consider in clean break orders? ▼

Under Section 25 MCA 1973, courts consider: financial resources and earning capacity of each party, financial needs and obligations, standard of living during marriage, age and duration of marriage, physical or mental disability, contributions made to the family's welfare, conduct (only where it would be inequitable to disregard), and value of any benefit lost by reason of divorce (pension). The welfare of minor children is the first consideration.

Is a clean break always possible in English divorce? ▼

Not always. A clean break is not possible when insufficient capital exists to fund a lump sum equivalent to ongoing maintenance needs, when one party has a long-term disability preventing self-sufficiency, in very long marriages where the lower earner has become entirely financially dependent, or when the recipient is near retirement and cannot realistically become self-supporting. In these cases, ongoing periodical payments with a term or nominal order are more appropriate.

When to Consult a UK Solicitor

Consult a licensed UK solicitor if your case involves: a Duxbury calculation for a significant clean break lump sum (accuracy matters at high values); a defined benefit pension offset requiring an independent actuarial report; contested proceedings where the other party disputes the clean break; or enforcement of an existing clean break order. Clean break orders are intended to be final — getting professional advice before agreeing to one is essential.

UK Clean Break Calculator 2026

What Is a Clean Break Settlement in England & Wales?

Why Courts Favour Clean Break Orders

The Duxbury Calculation

Example — Clean Break Calculation

Frequently Asked Questions

When to Consult a UK Solicitor

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