Stories

Thu, 10 Sep 2026

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 I asked my husband to pay into my pension when we had a child - here's why

Molly and Taylor Haylett explain the changes to how they managed their finances when they started a family.
Molly and Taylor Haylett, both in their 30s, had a surprise first child when Molly was still in her 20s. As a result, they weren't financially prepared for parenthood. After their baby arrived, Molly took time off work to care for the child, while Taylor continued his career as a train driver. This changed their financial balance, with Taylor's income increasing and Molly's decreasing. To address this issue, Molly asked Taylor to contribute to her pension, which he agreed to do. Molly believes that more couples should discuss this before having children, as it can have long-term consequences for the stay-at-home parent. Research by Octopus Money found that over a third of parents stopped or reduced their pension contributions during parental leave, and 63% didn't know they could make contributions on behalf of their partner. A financial adviser recommends that couples consider whether the working partner can help make up the shortfall in the stay-at-home partner's pension. Before having children, couples should discuss key questions such as:
* How will we manage our finances?
* Who will contribute to what?
* What kind of support can we receive? Molly and Taylor have adjusted their financial arrangements over time, with Taylor contributing to Molly's pension and them sharing a joint account for bills. They also have separate bank accounts. The couple has two children, aged 2 and 5, and says they were more prepared the second time around. They've set up pensions for both kids and use Junior ISAs to save for their future.