¶1concurring.
¶2Some cautionary comments may be appropriate in this case. Here the value of the pension was stipulated and the methods of valuation discussed in the opinion are those which have been approved by various courts. Rights under pension contracts vary greatly and in most cases the court has no power to alter the terms of the contract or provide for its payment in any fashion other than that required by the contract. The terms of the pension contract also affect the valuation of the pension itself.
¶3The majority opinion does not require any specific methods of valuation to be used by the District Court nor restrict its broad discretion in valuing pension rights. Neither does the majority opinion imply that pensions themselves must be divided in kind between the parties but only that the value of any pension or retirement plan shall be included as a part of the marital estate.