Overview
- Unspent private pensions will be included in estate valuations for inheritance tax from April 2027, with personal representatives rather than pension providers tasked with calculating and paying the 40% levy
- HMRC recorded a record £8.2 billion in inheritance tax receipts in May 2025 and is probing £343 million of suspected underpayments ahead of the pension reforms
- The Investing and Saving Alliance has called for pension pots under £90,000 to be exempted to ease administrative burdens on bereaved families
- Executors must trace all pension schemes, collate valuation data and use online tools to settle tax liabilities before probate applications can proceed
- Anticipating more complex liabilities, 31% of pension holders are cutting contributions and estates are accelerating lifetime gifts to mitigate future tax bills