How Financial Advisers Can Capitalise on Couples’ Pension Planning Confusion

Recent research from Hargreaves Lansdown has exposed a critical gap in how couples approach retirement planning, revealing that over 70% are financially interdependent for their pension income. For UK financial advisers, this presents a significant opportunity to differentiate their practice, attract new clients, and build deeper relationships through specialised couples’ pension planning services.

The Market Opportunity: £2.8 Trillion in Pension Assets at Risk

The Hargreaves Lansdown survey of 1,300 people revealed striking imbalances in couples’ retirement planning:

Legacy Giving: A Strategic Marketing Opportunity for Financial Advisers

Published: 20 August 2025

A new study by Rathbones reveals a significant gap in the philanthropic planning market that presents substantial opportunities for forward-thinking financial advisers. The research, highlighted in Third Force News, shows that whilst wealthy families increasingly want to leave money to charity, nearly half are deterred by legal and financial complexity.

The Market Opportunity: Growing Demand Meets Service Gap

The data reveals compelling trends that suggest a substantial market opportunity. Among high-net-worth individuals with average estates exceeding £3 million, 42% cite legal and financial complexity as the primary barrier to including charitable gifts in their wills. Additional barriers include lack of knowledge (39%) and uncertainty about where to begin (26%).