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Pensions to be included in IHT calculations from April 2027

Newsletter issue – June 2026

From April 2027, unused defined contribution (DC) pensions will be counted as part of a person's estate for inheritance tax (IHT). This is a significant shift from current rules where most DC pensions fall outside the estate. Defined benefit (DB) pensions remain unaffected.

Estates above the nil?rate band will face a 40% IHT charge. It is believed that 10,500 estates will pay IHT for the first time and 38,500 estates will see higher bills, averaging £34,000 extra. However, this change will only see a move from 5% to 8% of all estates paying IHT.

Despite this, research shows widespread anxiety with 54% of adults fearing their families will face higher IHT and 22% now feeling less confident about their pensions. People are already reacting to the impending change, with savers withdrawing £3.9bn in lump sums in the year after the announcement - £868m more than the previous year. One in seven are spending more of their pension; nearly half plan to. Other things to consider, if you feel your family will now receive an IHT bill, is to exchange your pension for an annuity (these are normally outside the scope of IHT) or use the gifting rules to reduce your estate's overall value.

Please get in touch to discuss your options if you feel this rule change is going to affect you.