If you would like to protect your pension from tax over the long term and ensure it is safeguarded in circumstances such as bankruptcy or divorce of a family member, you should consider setting up a Trust specifically designed to receive death benefits from pension schemes.

The NHS Pension and any private pensions you may have is designed to provide an income in retirement, but can also provide valuable benefits for your dependants should you die either while working or before you reach age 75. This can represent a significant sum of money.

For obvious practical reasons, you may have chosen for such benefits to be paid to your spouse, civil partner or partner (‘survivor’) however the resulting proceeds would then form part of their estate. On death this could potentially create, or increase a liability to Inheritance Tax (IHT) which could result in a loss of up to 40% of assets over the nil band of £325,000. Other causes may result in 100% of your death benefits going where you would not have wanted them to.

We are pleased to offer access to our Asset Preservation Trust for which there is no charge. The Asset preservation Trust is specifically designed to avoid some of the worst problems that can arise on your death. This is a useful tool, but not suitable for everyone so a thorough review of your circumstances would be required.

Specialist advice available throughout the UK

Trusts are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.