Legal advice: How can I ensure my partner gets my NHS pension? We are not married

Make sure you understand the terms of your pension scheme and state clearly who you wish to benefit from it in the event of your death, says legal expert Marc Cornock

Most occupational pension schemes, such as that for NHS employees, ask members to declare who they wish the benefits to be paid to if they die. These are known as ‘expressions of interest’ forms or something similar, and in them you state who you wish to receive your benefits.

Not all pension schemes have the same rules, and it is worth contacting your scheme to see what they offer to a dependent unmarried partner. There will also be specific rules for paying benefits to dependent children, and if this applies to you then you should ask about these as well.