According to a survey by Hargreaves Landown, 73% of people were ignorant about their ability to pay into someone else’s pension.

Current rules allow pension savers to contribute up to £2,880 per year into a pension for a non-earning spouse, partner or child with tax relief topping this up to £3,600.

HL says that even if the spouse/partner is working savers can contribute to their pension as long as all contributions remain below their annual allowance - which is the lowest of 100% of their earnings or £60,000.

Some two thirds of men said they were unaware of the pension opportunity compared to 80% of women.

Higher rate taxpayers were more likely to know about the pension contribution benefit with 61% aware compared to only 21% of basic rate taxpayers. However ignorance remains widespread.

Data was derived from an Opinium survey of 2,000 people carried out on behalf of HL in May.

Helen Morrissey, head of retirement analysis at Hargreaves Lansdown, “The ability to pay into a partner’s or child’s pension is an important Financial Planning opportunity and yet the vast majority of us are completely unaware of it.

“Contributing to a partner’s pension during times when they aren’t working can play a vital part in plugging any gaps in their long-term saving and help them build a resilient retirement income.

“Meanwhile, consumers can get their child’s or grandchild’s pension planning off to a flying start by paying into a Junior SIPP on their behalf while they are small.”

HL also pointed out that if loved ones are aged between 18 and 39 consumers can also contribute to a Lifetime ISA that they have opened which can be used either for retirement or to help them save for their first home. Contributions of up to £4,000 per year attract a 25% bonus.