People who are not married or not civil partnered and live together as a couple are in a vulnerable position when it comes to pensions. Employers who give pensions or death-in-service payments to spouses or civil partners most often do not recognise partners who live together. But things are changing and a few pension companies have shown flexibility. The most important thing you or your partner can do is to name each other as the person you want to benefit from the policy.
An
Advicenow guide on pensions and living together can
be found here.
Married or civil partnered
Although the rules vary between
pension companies, spouses or civil partners are entitled to inherit pension rights
on the death of their husband, wife or civil partner.
Married or not is part of LivingTogether - a campaign led by Advicenow.org.uk to inform cohabiting couples of their legal rights. The Nuffield Foundation and the Department for Constitutional Affairs supported One Plus One's development of material for Married or Not. The legal information on this site was checked by Sarah Forster.
Disclaimer: This website is intended to offer general
non-specific guidance in outline form. Those accessing
it should not rely solely on the information or advice
it contains.
