Just over a quarter (27 per cent) of people are not reliant on their partner’s pension, according to Hargreaves Lansdown.
A survey of 1,300 people found 31 per cent of men said they were not at all reliant on their partner’s pension compared to 22 per cent of women.
While 19 per cent said they had a similar size pension to their partner, so they needed each other.
However, 14 per cent said their partner had the biggest pension so they would pay most of the costs in retirement.
Helen Morrissey, head of retirement analysis at Hargreaves Lansdown, urged couples to plan together for their retirement.
“Talking things through can mean you are both aligned with your goals and how to get there.
“However, it’s also important that one partner is not overly reliant on the other’s pension, because if the worst were to happen and you part ways, this could mean you are very close to retirement with little in the way of pension,” she said.
Morrissey added both partners needed to be in a position where they could get by in retirement on their own if they had to.
However, the data showed 5 per cent of respondents did not have a pension at all.
“It’s an issue that should get better with the introduction of auto-enrolment, as more people are now saving into a pension, but it’s important to engage and get the most out of it.
“If you part ways with your spouse or civil partner, then it’s also important that pensions are considered as part of any divorce settlement. Other assets such as the family home often take centre stage in discussions but pensions should also be included,” she explained.
Morrissey also emphasised the need for documents such as expression of wish to be kept up to date so administrators can distribute benefits in line with the deceased’s wishes if one person in a couple were to die.
“Not keeping these forms up to date risks an ex-partner getting the money at the expense of a current one,” she added.
alina.khan@ft.com