Expressions of wishes: What's the worst that can happen?

A critical part of death benefits planning

clock • 4 min read

Caitlin Southall takes a detailed look at expression of wishes and highlights the importance of keeping them up to date...

Expressions of wishes are requests from clients to their pension provider as to how to deal with their pension when they pass away. Often pension providers will supply their own forms to complete, requesting specific instructions as to how the pension is to be distributed, and clients have the opportunity to split by asset or percentage of the overall pot. Think of them as like a will for the pension, bearing in mind that the pension will sit outside of the wider estate from a both a will and inheritance tax perspective. A client's circumstances are likely to naturally change over ...

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

Women's pensions: Why the gender savings gap opens at age 28

Women's pensions: Why the gender savings gap opens at age 28

Women in their late 50s hold 48% less in their pension than men

Rachel Vahey
clock 11 June 2026 • 3 min read
DC pension pot growth points to increased fraud risk, pensions minister warns

DC pension pot growth points to increased fraud risk, pensions minister warns

Torsten Bell says expanding DC pots will attract increased fraudster attention

Martin Richmond
clock 11 June 2026 • 2 min read
Revised transfer regs widely backed but industry calls for 'clear and practical' guidance

Revised transfer regs widely backed but industry calls for 'clear and practical' guidance

DWP makes key changes to traffic-light transfer conditions

Jonathan Stapleton
clock 10 June 2026 • 7 min read