Married couples pension arrangements

[Lewis]

I have a reasonable pension, for various reasons my wife has none (other than state).

We're looking into setting up a pension for her.

Out of curiosity, has anyone looked into the pros and cons of just one spouse having a pension as opposed to both? I'm thinking about things like transfer value on death, passing on to children, (heaven forbid) separation etc.

[TheFaQQer]

My financial adviser said there would be very little in it, so we set up separate ones. Probably should have just had one big one in case she stops working for the company, but that's unlikely.

[Wmnr]

if the new rules about taking as much as you want (subject to marginal tax rate) out of your pension come in (and stay in), then it would be better off to have 2 equal pension pots instead on one big one.

[Lewis]

if the new rules about taking as much as you want (subject to marginal tax rate) out of your pension come in (and stay in), then it would be better off to have 2 equal pension pots instead on one big one.

Yes, v. good point, thanks. So wife and I can draw down utilising both our tax fee allowances/lower rate bands as opposed to just mine.