Only a third of people aware they can pay into partner’s pension, survey finds

Fewer than four in 10 people know they can pay into their partner’s pension, according to new research, with awareness levels varying sharply between age groups and income brackets.

A survey of 2,000 people carried out by Opinium on behalf of Hargreaves Lansdown in May 2025 found that only 34% were aware of the option, which allows contributions of up to £2,880 a year into the self-invested personal pension (SIPP) of a non-working spouse or child.

The Government tops this up to £3,600 with tax relief.

Younger people were more likely to know about the benefit, with 43% of those aged 18 to 34 aware, compared to just 25% of those aged 55 and over.

Awareness also rose steeply with income: 78% of additional rate taxpayers knew about the rule, compared to 61% of higher rate taxpayers and only 29% of basic rate taxpayers.

Helen Morrissey, head of retirement analysis at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: “The ability to pay into a partner’s pension is a little-known benefit that can make an enormous difference to your family’s retirement planning.

“You can pay up to £2,880 per year into the SIPP of a non-working spouse. Even though they are not working so not paying tax they will still get a tax relief top up from government taking it up to £3,600. It’s a powerful way to boost the retirement planning of a loved one who is taking time out of the workforce to care for children or other loved ones and can go a long way towards closing the gender pension gap that continues to yawn widely.”

Morrissey added: “You can still make payments to your partner’s pension even if they are working, as long as total contributions do not exceed their annual allowance. It’s a great way to make the most of any spare cash you have if you have made the most of your own pension allowances – the problem is not enough of us know about it.