Latest Columns
-
Tilley: The lost art of SSAS trusteeship
In his final regular column for SIPPs Professional, pensions expert Martin Tilley looks at why understanding trust law matters as much as understanding pension administration when it comes to successful SSAS trusteeship, a topic he feels is vitally important to the future of the sector. We're pleased to say Martin may contribute occasional columns in future.
-
Tilley: Time for a return to SSAS professional trustees?
For the last 20 years, the post A-Day regime has trusted SSAS members to combine three separate legal identities as pension beneficiary, trustee and business owner. Those changes preserved one of the greatest attractions of a SSAS in the form of member control, but also removed the compulsory pensioneer trustee role that existed before 6 April 2006.
-
Lisa Webster: A calmer Budget? We hope so...
As we head towards our new Downing Street leadership team’s first Budget, the waters seem relatively calm.
-
Lisa Webster: Take the pension first? Think again
With the impending changes to tax treatment of pensions on death, there has been talk around the order of income in retirement being turned on its head.
-
Tilley: Transfer reform welcome but SSAS governance is key
At first glance, DWP’s June 2026 consultation on proposed changes to the 2021 transfer regulations does something the industry has long asked for; it acknowledges that the current regime, while well intended, has created too much friction for some perfectly legitimate pension transfers.
Popular News
-
Government announces consultation on ‘guided retirement’
The government has today released details of consultations on its default pensions proposals and 'guided retirement'.
-
64% unaware of imminent IHT hit to pensions
A survey for wealth manager and SIPP provide Mattioli Woods has found that nearly two in three adults (64%) are in the dark about imminent major IHT changes affecting pensions from April.
Angela Byrne has been appointed as CEO of Standard Life’s pension and savings business.
The Chancellor announced in the Budget that the freeze on inheritance tax thresholds will be extended for a further year to 2030-31.
By then the government will rake in a predicted £14.5bn per year from the tax.
IHT receipts are forecast to raise £9bn in 2025/26, a 4.5% increase from last year with receipts expected to continue to increase over the forecast period.
Receipts will continue to climb, driven by rising house and equity prices and the impact of the polices announced at the Autumn Budget 2024, reaching £14.5bn in 2030/31.
Relative to the OBR’s March forecast, receipts are expected to be £0.8bn lower by 2029/30 due to lower in-year outturn which is only partially offset by higher forecast equity prices.
Simon Martin, head of UK technical services at Utmost Wealth Solutions, said: “Inheritance tax receipts are set to increase from last year and over the forecast period as frozen thresholds, rising asset prices, a tightening of the regime at the Autumn 2024 Budget and extending the freeze on IHT free allowances combine to drive increasing collections for the Treasury.
“It sets the scene for continued demand for professional advice as high-net-worth clients look to understand how they may be impacted.”
Rachael Griffin, tax and financial planning expert at Quilter, said: “Inheritance tax is one of the UK’s most hated taxes. What was once a tax on only the wealthiest families will increasingly impact those with even relatively modest estates, who after a decade of frozen thresholds alongside rising house prices, will be snagged by the tax. Add to that the significant changes coming in April 2027, when pensions will be drawn into taxable estates, and the government looks set to cash in on an ever-expanding pool of taxpayers.”
She pointed out that alongside the freeze on thresholds, inheritance tax free allowances have also been frozen until 2030-31.
Ms Griffin said: “While they won’t be getting any more generous, maximising every available allowance will be vital for families looking to ensure they pass on as much of their wealth as possible, while leaving as little as possible in the hands of the taxman.”
The government will put a cap on salary sacrifice on pensions to save around £4.7bn, it was revealed in the Budget.
The Budget rumours in recent weeks have sparked a record tax year so far for the number of people paying into SIPPs, stocks and shares ISAs, cash ISAs, JISAs and LISAs from Hargreaves Lansdown.
Retirees are living longer than they ever expected – and their finances may not be keeping pace, according to new research.
HMRC has agreed to exempt pension administration professionals from new requirements requiring ‘tax advisers’ who interact with HMRC on behalf of clients to register with HMRC and meet new minimum standards from 1 April 2026.
Subscriber Login