IHT on pensions to cause 'operational complexity and risk' for providers

Expected to lead to delays in payments to beneficiaries

Isabel Baxter
clock • 3 min read

The application of inheritance tax (IHT) to unused pensions creates significant operational complexity and risk for providers, BNY Investments head of retirement Richard Parkin has said.

Speaking to Professional Adviser, the retirement specialist highlighted that the proposed rules make the pension provider responsible for payment of the IHT on the pension proceeds. "This creates significant operational complexity and risk for providers and is expected by many to lead to delays in payments to beneficiaries," he cautioned. "With 61% of advisers telling us that the change will affect all or most of their retirement clients, this new tax regime will have a profound effect on retirement planning. It must be hoped that the final rules are not quite so problematic." In its ...

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 Pensions

We need to work together to tackle pension overconfidence

We need to work together to tackle pension overconfidence

'Clients may assume they're on the right track simply because they're paying into a pension'

Ahmed Bawa
clock 13 June 2025 • 4 min read
Pension freedoms have delivered flexibility in the last decade 'at a cost'

Pension freedoms have delivered flexibility in the last decade 'at a cost'

Consumers value choice but are aware of risk of running out of funds

Jasmine Urquhart
clock 12 June 2025 • 2 min read
Alex Cowan-Sanluis: 'Pension transfer sludge is real – I've seen it'

Alex Cowan-Sanluis: 'Pension transfer sludge is real – I've seen it'

'It became so frustrating that we spoke to the FCA'

Alex Cowan-Sanluis
clock 09 June 2025 • 4 min read