Many people believe that once they’ve made a will — especially a mirror will — everything they own will automatically pass according to its terms. Unfortunately, that’s not always true.
Some of your most valuable assets, such as pensions, life insurance, and death-in-service benefits, don’t follow your will at all. Instead, they’re distributed according to beneficiary nominations held by the provider or employer.
If those nominations aren’t kept up to date, they can override your will and direct money somewhere you didn’t intend.
In this guide, we’ll explain the crucial differences between mirror wills and beneficiary nominations, what your will doesn’t control, and how to make sure both are aligned with your true wishes.
What Are Mirror Wills?
Mirror wills are two separate wills that reflect each other’s wishes. For example:
- Each partner leaves everything to the other.
- When both have passed, the estate passes to shared beneficiaries, such as children.
They’re a popular choice for couples because they’re simple, affordable, and easy to understand.
You can learn more about how they work in our Mirror Wills Explained: The 2025 Guide for UK Couples.
But even the most carefully written mirror wills have limits — particularly when it comes to assets controlled by beneficiary nominations.
What Are Beneficiary Nominations?
A beneficiary nomination is a form you complete with a pension provider, life insurance company, or employer. It tells them who should receive certain benefits after you die.
Examples include:
- Pension schemes: You nominate who should receive your pension death benefits.
- Life insurance policies: You choose who gets the payout.
- Death-in-service benefits: Your employer’s scheme pays to the person(s) named on your nomination form.
These assets usually sit outside your will — meaning they aren’t governed by its terms.
Even if your mirror will says everything should go to your spouse or children, those wishes won’t apply to benefits with separate nomination forms.
Will vs Nomination: Which One Wins?
If there’s a conflict between your will and your beneficiary nomination, the nomination normally takes precedence.
Let’s look at a quick comparison:
| Asset Type | Controlled By | Follows Your Will? | Needs Separate Nomination? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property (owned solely) | Your will | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Joint property (joint tenants) | Survivorship rules | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Pension | Provider / Scheme | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Life insurance policy | Provider or trustee | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Death-in-service benefit | Employer’s trustees | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Joint bank account | Automatically passes to survivor | ❌ No | ❌ No |
Tip: Joint bank accounts usually bypass wills entirely and pass automatically to the surviving account holder. You can learn more in our guide: What Happens to a Joint Bank Account When One Holder Dies in the UK.
Common Mistakes Couples Make With Mirror Wills
Mirror wills are a great foundation, but they can give a false sense of security.
Here are the mistakes we see most often:
- Assuming life policies follow the will.
Most life insurance policies are written in trust or held separately — meaning they follow the beneficiary form, not your will. - Never reviewing nominations.
People often forget to update pension nominations after marriage, divorce, or the birth of children. - Only naming one person.
If your sole nominee dies before you, the benefit may revert to your estate and trigger unwanted delays or taxes. - Duplicating beneficiaries inconsistently.
If your mirror will says “everything to my spouse,” but your pension nomination names your children directly, your estate could be distributed unevenly. - Not coordinating between partners.
Couples with mirror wills should review their nominations together — especially for pensions and death-in-service benefits that can pay out large sums.
How to Align Mirror Wills With Beneficiary Nominations
The good news is you can easily bring your will and nominations into harmony. Here’s how:
- Audit every policy and pension.
Request a copy of each nomination form from your providers. - Make sure both partners’ nominations reflect the same plan.
If your wills mirror each other, your nominations should too. - Include “contingent beneficiaries.”
Name backup recipients in case your main nominee has passed away. - Update after life events.
Marriage, divorce, or the birth of children should always trigger a review.
See our When to Update Your Will: The Life Events Checklist. - Consider trust-based planning.
For higher-value estates or blended families, placing a pension or life policy in trust can offer more control and flexibility.
Learn more in our Protective Property Trusts Guide.
Mirror Wills vs Beneficiary Nominations: A Quick Example
Example 1:
Sarah and David have mirror wills leaving everything to each other, and then to their children. Sarah’s pension nomination, however, still names her ex-partner.
If Sarah passes away first, her pension may go entirely to her ex — despite what her mirror will says.
Example 2:
James and Olivia make mirror wills and nominate each other on all pensions and life policies. Years later, they welcome another child but never update their nominations. If both die together, the benefits could bypass their new child completely.
Moral:
Mirror wills set the foundation. Beneficiary nominations keep it intact. Both need attention to ensure your estate passes as intended.
Do Beneficiary Nominations Override Mirror Wills?
Yes — in most cases, they do.
Beneficiary nominations are contractual directions given to the scheme provider or trustees.
While your will is a legal document, it doesn’t usually affect benefits that aren’t part of your estate.
If a nomination exists, that’s what the provider will follow — even if it contradicts your will.
How Often Should You Review Your Nominations?
Every few years, or sooner if you experience:
- Marriage or remarriage
- Divorce or separation
- Birth or adoption of a child
- New job or pension scheme
- Change in financial goals
These are the same triggers that should prompt a review of your will. Keeping both updated ensures consistency across your estate.
FAQs
Does my will override my pension nomination?
No. Pension providers follow your nomination form, not your will.
Who gets my life insurance if my will says otherwise?
The person named on the policy’s beneficiary form — unless the policy is written into your estate or trust.
Do I need probate for assets with nominations?
Usually not. Nominated benefits are paid directly by the provider, bypassing probate.
Should I mention my pension in my mirror will?
You can reference it, but nominations take precedence. Focus on aligning the two instead.
Conclusion
Mirror wills are an essential part of estate planning — but they don’t cover everything.
To truly protect your loved ones, take time to review your beneficiary nominations alongside your wills. Doing so ensures your estate, pensions, and policies all follow the same plan — and your wishes are honoured exactly as you intend.
For more practical guidance, visit our Mirror Wills Explained: The 2025 Guide for UK Couples.