Not married DP is not entitled to half my pension if we split is he?

[Isthisnormalorisitme]

I was pretty sure not, but have just phoned an advisor and he says that he may be.

It sounds to me you confused the advisor by using the term "partner" rather than "boyfriend". A "civil" partner has pension rights like a spouse.

Unfortunately some professional people don't listen properly to customers so you need to be careful on what language you use.

Hi op, I work for a workplace pension scheme and unless you want to transfer to a different scheme before you retire you may not need an ifa. If you have a Retirement quote from your provider and you’re happy with it then you can liase directly with them, if not give them a call and request a quote be Sent out to you. If you’re unsure what might be best then consult an Ifa but be wary of transferring out of a final salary if that is what you have as they are far and few between and often better than the new DC schemes. I have never seen a case of pension sharing in anything other than divorce but pp are correct that a partner can get the death benefits-usually if you have named them as a beneficiary which most people do or if they can prove you were a couple at the time of death E.g. shared lease or bills in both names, it is definitely worth a call to check if you have named him as a beneficiary and remove him. Any payment to a non spouse is usually discretionary tho

You shouldn't take legal advice from an IFA
When asked if you are in England and Wales you reply you are in the UK
People in Scotland should be aware the position is a bit different there's

Hi Sophi. Yes it is a final salary scheme! And I want to transfer out for a couple of reasons, which I know is not so easy. I am almost 57, and I need to transfer out 12 months before the pension matures when I am 60. The transfer out value is 60% more than the pension pot so a major reason for doing it. I know there are risks.
My son is listed as the beneficiary, I did that a couple of years ago.

I think it’s depends who you work for. For example some companies would award your pension to your next of Kin? There should be a policy at work find out.

Is there any reason your partner should be awarded a portion of your pension? Has partner given up work to raise your joint family and been financial dependent on you? Has being in a relationship with you prevented them for having their own pension provision?

Why would that matter if a couple aren’t married though?

If you’re not married (in England), you’re legally single and your investments are entirely your own, just as they would be if you weren’t in a relationship.

Property is more of a grey area - but the non-owning partner still has to prove their contribution (paying towards the mortgage/got repairs etc). And even then they’re not certain to get anything from a property someone else legally owns. The only way to guarantee anything is through co-ownership.

Legally any creep towards ‘common law’ anything is really problematic. People can choose to be married or civil partnered (to gain the protections and obligations that come with that) or they can choose not to be. Plenty of people have good reasons for choosing to be legally single and not taking on the obligations of marriage/civil partnership.