Couples fail to plan retirement finances

UK couples could be risking an old age in poverty because they are failing to talk to one another about financial planning for their retirement, according to new research from Prudential.

The study found that nearly a third of couples (32 per cent) aged 40 and above but not yet retired say they don't know or understand the details of their partner's retirement savings, with more than a fifth (22 per cent) saying they have never talked to their partner about financial planning for retirement.

The findings from new research commissioned by Prudential reveal that women are even less likely than men to discuss financial planning for retirement with partners, with almost a quarter of women (24 per cent) saying they have never discussed this, compared to almost one in five men (19 per cent).

One in 10 ‘not interested'

And a further 12 per cent of women and 11 per cent of men say they know nothing about their spouse or partner's finances - and they're not really interested.  This lack of interest could be compounding low levels of financial awareness.

To help people prepare for their retirement, Prudential has produced a decade-by-decade guide to the conversations couples need to have at pru.co.uk/couplesconversations.  Suggested subjects include making a will, discussing pensions and how much to save, talking about when to retire, working out retirement income, reviewing total savings, researching annuity options and when to buy, checking National Insurance contributions, talking about housing options, leaving an inheritance, and agreeing on long term care.

Andy Brown, investments director at Prudential, said: "It is incredible that so many people do not know the details of their partner's retirement savings.  Essentially, this could mean millions of UK adults are banking on hope as their core retirement strategy and are approaching what is arguably the most important financial decision without a full understanding of their household financial situation.

"It's astonishing that one in 10 men and women say they're not interested in their partner's retirement savings arrangements.  Firstly, couples should strive to have open conversations with one another but they also should aim to be constructive and use these conversations to begin laying the foundations for their retirement planning.  The reason this is so important is because the longer retirement planning goes unresolved the harder it is for couples later in life to try and get a decent financial retirement plan in place."

Northerners least aware of partner's finances

When asked about their spouse or partner's finances, those in the North admitted to having the lowest levels of awareness or understanding while those in the South East and East Midlands claimed to have a much better grasp.