A variable power splitter apparatus and methods of using the same. In some cases, polarization dependent losses in a polarization-multiplexed system are minimized. In the systems and methods described here, in various configurations, the variable power splitter is either tunable or calibrated such that the difference in power between two optical loads is controlled to provide equal power after the respective light components traverse the respective optical loads. The result is that the average power is used. In one example, if the variable power splitter is tuned to balance the polarization dependent losses which occur in a 2:1 ratio, it would have a coupling ratio of 66/33, with the higher power going into the arm with twice the loss. The power in each path is then equal with a loss of 1.8 dB instead of 3 dB.