The rise of unmarried cohabiting couples is one of the biggest social revolutions of the last few decades in the UK. According to a report from the Office for National Statistics, the number has doubled from 1.5 million in 1996 to 3.5 million in 2021, as more people choose to live together before, or instead of, getting married.But while social attitudes may have evolved, the law around cohabiting couples' rights has failed to keep pace. Despite the widespread myth of "common law marriage", there is actually no such legal concept in the UK. Unfortunately, many people are unaware of this. According to this parliamentary report, a survey showed that 46% of those living in England and Wales assumed cohabitants living together form a 'common law marriage', rising to 55% of households with children.Yet, in reality, unmarried partners have very few automatic rights compared to married spouses or civil partners. And this creates serious implications for cohabiting couples when it comes to their financial futures. As an HR manager, it's important to understand all this, so you can properly protect your employees. Read on to discover the true situation for unmarried, cohabitating couples today.Is common law marriage recognised in UK law?Questions such as 'what is common-law marriage?', 'what is common-law partner?' and 'what is common-law partnership?' are popular search terms on Google. But unfortunately there's no strict legal definition for any of these terms because, as we've explained, they're actually not legal terms at all. They're more of a conversational way people refer to those who live together but aren't married.So, really, better questions to ask would be "Is common-law marriage recognised in UK law?", or "Do common-law partners have rights?" Because the simple and honest answer to both those questions is: no. For example, common law partners will not automatically inherit a partner's estate if they die without a will. They'll have no rights to assets like a shared home if the relationship breaks down. They'll have no access to a partner's private pension savings if they die. And they'll enjoy no exemption from inheritance tax on any assets passed on, either.So what is a common law partner entitled to? Well, basically very little unless the couples concerned put the proper legal and financial provisions in place before it's too late.How common-law partners can protect themselvesUnmarried cohabitating couples should consider taking the following steps to protect themselves financially:1. Cohabitation agreement: this legal contract outlines the rights, responsibilities and obligations of each partner regarding finances, property ownership, debts, and other important matters. It can help avoid disputes if the relationship ends.2. Joint ownership: if a couple buys a property together, they should consider holding the title as joint tenants, with rights of survivorship or tenants in common. This outlines each partner's ownership share and what happens to the property if one partner dies.3. Estate planning: both partners should have an up-to-date will, power of attorney and advanced healthcare directives. Without these, unmarried partners may have no legal rights if their partner becomes incapacitated or dies.4. Beneficiary designations: common law partners should update beneficiary designations on retirement accounts, Life Insurance policies and other assets to include your partner if desired.5. Joint bank accounts: partners might wish to establish joint current/savings accounts for shared expenses and finances, on the understanding that both parties have equal ownership.Proactively addressing such issues through legal agreements can provide essential protections for unmarried couples regarding shared property, finances and decision-making authority.Common-law marriage and insuranceOne of the most important areas where provisions should be made is life insurance, whether that be private insurance or any Group Life Insurance policies provided as an employee benefit employee benefit.The worrying truth is that if an unmarried partner dies without updating their death benefit nominee, their partner may receive nothing — even if they were entirely financially dependent on them.Group Life Insurance typically provides a tax-free lump sum to an employee’s beneficiary. While married spouses are usually the default beneficiaries, this vital financial protection often gets overlooked for common law partners.In other words, as the HR manager, you should ensure all employees are made aware of the need to formally designate their unmarried partner as the beneficiary if they wish for them to receive the death benefit proceeds. The same applies to any supplemental Life Insurance coverage employees opt into. None of us can predict what life has in store. But by clarifying the status and rights of common law partners, especially regarding workplace benefits, you can prompt employees to take the right provisions. A few simple actions could make all the difference in protecting their loved one's financial future.About YuLifeYuLife is working to reimagine the insurance industry by protecting lives, rewarding living and inspiring life. We’re on a mission to transform traditional insurance into a life-enhancing experience each employee will value and use daily. How does it work?Our award-winning app uses behavioural science and game mechanics to reward your people for living well while offering protection in case of crisis. And with our top-rated employee assistance programme, your team gets access to mental, financial and social support, virtual GPs, nutritionists, life coaches and more to help them live their best lives.Because we believe that your employees should benefit from their insurance from day one — and that wellbeing should be accessible every day, for everyone.Request a demo for your team today.References: Citizens Advice UK Parliament: Committees UK Parliament: Commons Library