Archive update: this article previously quoted older household figures and made categorical statements about pensions, bereavement support and insurance trusts. Those statements are not reliable guidance for a current decision. Rules and scheme terms can differ and may change.
Check the legal position for your relationship
Living together does not automatically give a partner the same rights as marriage or civil partnership in England and Wales. In particular, a cohabiting partner is not automatically included in the intestacy order if someone dies without a valid will. Rules differ across the UK, and individual circumstances matter. See the current GOV.UK explanation of legal rights and seek qualified legal advice about wills, property and inheritance.
Review existing benefits and nominations
Check each pension or workplace death-benefit scheme’s own rules and any beneficiary nomination you have made. Do not assume a partner will automatically receive a payment, or that a nomination is binding in every scheme. Ask the scheme administrator how your arrangement works.
Consider whether protection would help
If you share essential costs, think about what each person could afford if the other died or became unable to work. Life Insurance and Critical Illness Cover address different events; the benefit, beneficiaries, exclusions and claim outcome depend on the policy and any trust or nomination arrangement. Putting a policy in trust can have legal and tax implications; obtain appropriate advice before making that decision.
Start a protection enquiry to request an adviser call about personal insurance options, or contact IM-Insured. An insurance enquiry does not replace legal advice or guarantee a payout to any particular person.
