| 1 in 6 people don’t know who their pension would go to if they passed away | Cohabiting partners are especially at risk of missing out if not formally nominated | Some still have ex-partners listed – regular reviews are essential |
One in six people with a partner are unsure who would inherit their pension savings if they were to die before accessing them1. While the majority – 65% – have nominated their spouse or partner as their named beneficiary, others have chosen different paths: one in five say they have selected another family member, while a small number say they are leaving their pension pot to a charity (4%) or a friend (3%).
However, a concerning proportion of respondents did not know who their beneficiary would be. In particular, people living with a partner but neither married nor in a civil partnership were especially likely to be unaware – 25% of these respondents didn’t know who would receive their pension.
Similarly, uncertainty was highest among the youngest (ages 16–24) and the oldest (79+) respondents, with 10% and 18% respectively unable to name a beneficiary.
The risk of outdated choices
More concerning still, 3% of respondents suspect their pension may still be designated to an ex-partner. In fact, a separate study2 found one in 10 divorcees had forgotten to remove their former partner as a life insurance beneficiary.
Keep your wishes up to date
To make sure your pension savings go to the right person, it’s essential to review your nominated beneficiary regularly. Life changes – so should your financial paperwork. Don’t risk your pension falling into the wrong hands – review your beneficiary regularly to ensure it reflects your current wishes and circumstances.
1Aviva, 2025, 2Legal & General, 2025
It is important to take professional advice before making any decision relating to your personal finances. Information within this article is based on our current understanding and can be subject to change without notice and the accuracy and completeness of the information cannot be guaranteed. It does not provide individual tailored advice and is for guidance only. Some rules may vary in different parts of the UK.