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Pensions to come into scope of IHT as Finance Bill receives Royal Assent


By Jack Gray

Unused pension pots will come into scope of inheritance tax (IHT) from April 2027, after the Finance (No. 2) Bill completed its passage through parliament and received Royal Assent.

The second reading of the bill took place on 17 March and, as the bill is a ‘Supply Bill’, the House of Lords could not amend it, so the committee stage, report stage, and third reading were just formalities


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£148bn LGPS surplus sparks calls for accelerated actuarial review

Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) funding remains robust, despite a slight dip in the final quarter of 2025, according to the latest Low-Risk Funding Index from Isio, which has suggested that the government should accelerate its actuarial review process

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'More must be done' to increase voluntary pension savings

There will still be a need for voluntary pension savings, even if the auto-enrolment rate is increased to 10 or 12 per cent, Aviva wealth policy director, Emma Douglas, has warned, arguing that boosting minimum pension contributions alone will not solve the UK’s retirement adequacy challenge

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Study reveals ‘exceptionally high’ confidence in professional trustees

The UK pensions market has strong confidence in the role of professional trustees and believe they provide good value for money and expertise to trustee boards, a study from Barnett Waddingham (BW) has found

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Majority of pension schemes have business continuity plans but testing gaps remain

More than three-quarters of pension schemes have business continuity plans in place, although many are yet to properly review or test them, according to polling conducted by the Society of Pension Professionals (SPP)

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Savers lack confidence in pensions being protected from long-term risks

Almost half (44 per cent) of UK adults lack confidence in pension savings being adequately protected from long-term risks, according to a YouGov survey

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2020s have been a ‘complete waste’ for pensions policy - Webb

The 2020s have been a “complete waste” for pensions policy, LCP partner, Steve Webb, has said, arguing that the failure to build on auto-enrolment (AE) risked leaving future retirees with inadequate incomes for years to come

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Govt urged to raise contribution levels as DC-only savers head for inadequate retirement

The government should outline a plan to increase minimum auto-enrolment (AE) pension contributions as the majority of defined contribution (DC)-only households are heading for inadequate retirement incomes, according to a report from Royal London and Oxford Economics
UK pensions facing ‘pivotal’ moment as reform agenda accelerates

The UK pensions industry is facing a “pivotal time” as a wave of policy changes, regulatory developments and new initiatives reshape the landscape, according to Aviva wealth policy director, Emma Douglas
DB schemes at ‘inflection point’ as focus shifts to stability and run-on

The UK defined benefit (DB) pension sector has reached an “inflection point”, with most schemes now moving beyond deficit repair and into a new phase focused on long-term strategy, according to a report from Brightwell
Diversity Project organisations align to rebrand as Inclusion in Finance

The Diversity Project UK, Diversity Project Europe, and Nicsa’s Diversity Project North America have rebranded in their respective regions to Inclusion in Finance and agreed to align on new five-year ambitions

Hille Ergonom Pension Scheme winds up following £4m Aviva buyout

The Hille Ergonom Pension Scheme has wound up following a £4m buyout with Aviva, which resulted in a refund from the insurer
Pensions administration no longer a 'back-office function'

Trustees must place greater strategic focus on pension administration, Pensions Administration Standards Association (PASA) board director, Chris Connelly, has argued, warning that it now sits at the centre of member outcomes and scheme resilience


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The debate between cost and value has continued to persist, as whilst increased scale has allowed providers to negotiate better fees, not all are convinced that this is delivering the best value for savers

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