What happens to private pensions when you die?<\/strong><\/p>\nPrivate pensions work very differently, and in many instances can be passed on to a beneficiary or beneficiaries in the event of your death. There are two kinds of workplace pensions, however, and it\u2019s important to understand what they are, how they work, and how passing them on can differ.<\/p>\n
\u201cWorkplace pensions come in two main types: defined contribution (DC) and defined benefit (DB),\u201d explains Fiona Peake, personal finance expert at Ocean Finance. \u201cWith a DC pension, it\u2019s all about the pot of money you\u2019ve built up. If you pass away before age 75, your beneficiaries can usually access this money tax-free, as long as it\u2019s paid out within two years. After 75, they\u2019ll likely need to pay income tax on any withdrawals at their own rate.\u201d<\/p>\n
An important element here is in whether beneficiaries have been nominated.<\/p>\n
If they have, either by informing your pension provider or by naming beneficiaries in your will, they will typically receive your DC pension under the conditions Peake has explained.<\/p>\n
In cases where no beneficiary has been named, the pension provider may decide where it goes on your behalf and it will typically be endowed to your estate. Under these circumstances, the funds would be eligible for inheritance tax, depending on the total value of your estate.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019ve already begun drawing your private pension, the ways it can be passed on will be affected by how you decided to access it.<\/p>\n
If you chose a drawdown option, in which the bulk of your money remains invested while you withdraw what you need, anything remaining in your fund can usually be inherited by a beneficiary.<\/p>\n
\u201cLump sum payments or setting up an income for beneficiaries are both common options,\u201d says Peake.<\/p>\n
For those who opt for annuities, however, the terms can be more limiting.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you\u2019ve bought an annuity with your pension, it\u2019s important to check the terms,\u201d Peake continues. \u201cA basic annuity stops paying out when you die, but if you\u2019ve got a joint or guaranteed term annuity, there might be payments that continue to your spouse, partner, or dependants.\u201d<\/p>\n
That\u2019s defined contribution pensions covered, but what about defined benefits pensions?<\/strong><\/p>\nDB pensions, sometimes known as final salary pensions, provide a continued, guaranteed income rather than a money pot from which to draw. \u201cWhen you pass away, some schemes might pay a percentage of this income to your spouse, partner, or dependants,\u201d explains Peake. \u201cThe exact rules depend on the scheme, so it\u2019s worth checking with your provider to see what applies.\u201d<\/p>\n
If you have a DB pension in place but your spouse or civil partner is not listed with it, it will typically stop upon death unless that particular scheme allows for continued payments to your children or other dependants. Regardless of the type of private pension you have, it\u2019s important to name your beneficiaries and keep that information up to date.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne area where people can sometimes lose out is forgetting to nominate a beneficiary for their pension,\u201d says Peake. \u201cMost workplace pensions let you name who you\u2019d like to benefit from your pension when you die, and it\u2019s something you can usually update if your circumstances change. For example, if you\u2019ve divorced or remarried, you might want to revisit this to make sure it reflects your wishes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Looking forward<\/strong><\/p>\nIt\u2019s important to remember that, as with the state pension age, many rules around pensions, how they\u2019re paid out, and how they can be passed on are not set in stone. In fact, what\u2019s true of pensions now is already set for a major, tax-focused change from April 2027 as Joshua White, Head of Growth at Level<\/a>, explains.<\/p>\n\u201cFrom April 2027, the rules around pensions and inheritance tax will change significantly, as most unused pension funds will be included in the value of an estate for inheritance tax purposes, removing a previous exemption,\u201d he says. \u201cThis shift will particularly impact individuals on defined benefit schemes, though it\u2019s less of a concern for those on defined contribution pensions.<\/p>\n
White continues with the broader tax implications of this change, particularly where \u2018fiscal drag\u2019 \u2013 the phenomenon by which frozen tax thresholds pull more people into the tax system via wage inflation \u2013 is concerned.<\/p>\n
\u201cGiven current property prices and fiscal drag, we at Level estimate that around one million UK properties currently just below the inheritance tax threshold could become liable due to these changes. As property is often the main asset in an estate, this will bring many estates into the scope of inheritance tax for the first time.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s clear from HMRC\u2019s consultation notes that this change is designed to prevent pensions from being used as a tax-planning tool rather than a means of providing for retirement. Executors and beneficiaries need to be aware of the potential tax implications and plan accordingly.\u201d<\/p>\n
It\u2019s important to be abreast of upcoming changes and how they will impact upon your situation.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re ever in doubt or need further guidance, it\u2019s never too late to get in touch with a financial adviser or pensions expert to assist with understanding your own circumstances, your options, and how you can pass on your pension when the time comes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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