RE: Stick or Twist, That is the question ?9 Apr 2026 23:32
Elcob - if you will permit me to offer some pointers. But obviously each has their own agenda and I have no wish to insult those who have their sh*t in order..
The big kicker on the horizon is without a doubt is pensions - DC pensions and SIPP's will come under the IHT umbrella as of this time next year. This is one big knee in the proverbial because you get taxed on all crystalised drawdown and you get taxed again when you die (unless you bequeath it to your legal partner. So it's either (20% and 40%)60% or (40% and 40%)80% tax!!!!
The other elephant in the room for many here in GGP - again......IHT!!!
For quite a considerable number of people, their home valuation can be quite considerable. If you live in London (as I do occasionally), dependant on post code - a two bedroom apartment is easily £1m+.
Anything that takes your estate: house, savings, pensions, investments, etc - over £500k for single persons and £1m for married persons, will be captured @ 40% with a tax bill.
EG: House costs say: £750k, savings say £100k, valued items (paintings/cars/wine/ blah blah (that has been declared), DC pension / SIPP........all added up gives you a figure of let's say (theoretically): £1.5m. You are staring at a tax bill of £200k for a married couple for starters. And if you are single: £400k.
(And if that isn't an incentive to marry (or civil partnership) your partner - I don't know what is!!). IHT is only payable on the death of the last remaining partner.
There are ways and means to mitigate IHT, one of the more efficient is via a 'PET' but this takes time (7 years to be exact). There are smaller mitigations but they pale into insignificance by comparison or require trusts/variations to wills.
1. IHT. Suffice to say, 'most' people need serious financial and tax advice to mitigate their tax position. And this advice isn't cheap (but essential).
DON't leave it too late or your kids will lose every penny you have to hand over to HMRC!
2. SIPP / DC pensions - again, the tax man cometh - get advice.
[All the above relates to UK only].
Z