This is the biggie for financial advisers, and unexpected for most, as other pension-tinkerings – to the tax-free lump-sum and tax relief were higher up the rumour ladder. IHT-free pensions were a by-product of the ‘freedom’ and ‘auto-enrolment regimes, a part of which meant all new-style pensions were held in a discretionary trust, with the pension company as trustee. This meant they fell outside the IHT net and, I thought, would be hard to bring back in. I was obviously wrong and they, or rather she, can do whatever they want, I guess. The whole thing is subject to ‘consultation’, however. Mainly because, having read the consultation briefing (so you don’t have to), because they want to leave it to the pension providers to collect and pay the IHT and that, believe me, will be a very complex process. Better, if it has to happen, for you and your family (would be many a billable hour for your solicitor), but still complicated; and those who will have to do the work will have much to say, I would hope, to a Treasury looking to save some salaried hours themselves.
“Cash ISA allowance could be cut this month”
Our mantra has long been ’straightforward advice that you can understand’. That can mean trying to simplify the many complex products and options with which the world of finance tries to befuddle its target audience.
