Around one third of people would rely on their partner’s pension in retirement, according to a survey from Hargreaves Lansdown.

This figure includes 23% of men and almost four in 10 women (39%).

The Hargreaves Lansdown research, based on a survey of 2,000 people during September, also suggested that one fifth (21%) of people were unsure if they would have to rely on their partner in retirement.

Almost one quarter (24%) of the 18 to 24 age group said they thought they would have to rely on a partner’s pension, while 43% said they wouldn’t. According to the study, older age groups were less confident, with 36% of 35 to 44 year olds saying they thought they would rely on their partner.

Hargreaves Lansdown senior pensions and retirement analyst, Helen Morrissey, said that the findings show women are “particularly at risk”, with almost 40% saying they expected to rely on a partner’s pension in retirement.

“This is down to a variety of factors including lower wages, part-time work, and time out of the workforce for caring responsibilities,” Morrissey commented. “However, almost a quarter (23%) of men also said they would likely need to rely on a partner’s pension so it’s by no means purely a female thing.

“The good news is that younger age groups feel they will not have to rely on their partner so much. Only a quarter of the 18 to 24 age group said they thought they might have to rely on a partner.

“However, we need to bear in mind that for many of them, the years where their finances will be severely squeezed are ahead of them. Auto-enrolment means more people than ever will be able to build up a pension throughout their working lives meaning they are less likely to have to rely on anyone else in retirement.”

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