Getting to grips with death benefits

DEATH BENEFITS

clock

Ian Linden, technical manager, pensions, at James Hay Partnership, highlights the importance of getting to grips with death benefits.

No one can say with any certainty they will be alive tomorrow, though, from a pension planning perspective, the ideal would be to die young – but not too young – and preferably before age 75! In such a scenario, the member should have achieved the maximum tax efficiency through their pension arrangement, namely – tax relief on their contributions, growth in a tax advantaged environment, no tax charge on uncrystallised funds and no IHT liability on the pension fund as a whole. Unfortunately, life is not that predictable and therefore any holistic financial plan has to attempt to encompass...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Your profession

Cash ISA allowance cut risks hardening saver/investor divide, advisers warn

Cash ISA allowance cut risks hardening saver/investor divide, advisers warn

Govt policy shift reignites debate around role of cash ISAs

Sahar Nazir
clock 28 January 2026 • 5 min read
Depledge Strategic Wealth Management backs CISI financial planning push

Depledge Strategic Wealth Management backs CISI financial planning push

‘Financial planning is for every week’

Jenna Brown
clock 28 January 2026 • 2 min read
What a classic '80s movie tells us about today's language of financial advice

What a classic '80s movie tells us about today's language of financial advice

'Forty years is a long time in film. Even more so in financial services'

Roger Brosch
clock 27 January 2026 • 4 min read