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From 6 April 2027, unused pensions will be part of the estate for inheritance tax. If you’re an executor, this is what you’ll need to do.

When someone dies, their executors often need to complete HMRC’s IHT400 form — the main inheritance tax return. It’s required when the estate is over the available allowances or involves more complex assets, such as trusts, lifetime gifts, or pensions. Even when no tax is due, the IHT400 can still be needed to fully report the estate.

From 6 April 2027, most unused pension funds and pension death benefits will be included in the deceased person’s estate for IHT calculation, regardless of whether the pension scheme is discretionary or non-discretionary. Current rules allow unused funds in discretionary schemes to pass tax-free; that will no longer apply after implementation.

The Government has announced a major change to how unused pension funds and some death benefits are treated for inheritance tax (IHT). From 6 April 2027, most of these funds will be brought into the estate for IHT purposes.

The term "emerging markets" refers to a broad and diverse group of economies that are at various stages of economic development. But the definition extends beyond income levels. It also includes factors such as capital market accessibility, regulatory frameworks, and investor participation. That’s why high-income economies like Taiwan and South Korea are still classified as emerging alongside lower-income countries like Pakistan.

The Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness Strategy (aka the Leeds Reforms) is launched to support long-term growth, aiming to make the UK the premier location for financial services firms by 2035

The IAAT is designed to help personal investment firms understand how the FCA assesses the suitability of investment advice (excluding retirement income and DB transfers). It provides transparency on the FCA’s methodology during file reviews.

The debate between DIY investing and seeking financial advice is one that continues to spark conversation across the industry. For financial advisers, articulating the tangible value they bring can sometimes feel like an uphill battle—especially when prospective clients focus purely on fees rather than outcomes. This blog explores the differences between DIY investing and advice-led planning, the behavioural and practical nuances of each approach, and why understanding this debate is critical for both advisers and their clients.

It’s probably fair to say we all enjoy a holiday. For a short time, we escape reality, live in a bubble, and detach from everyday life. Recently, we traveled to Cape Verde, a growing tourist destination off the west coast of Africa. It’s a nation made up of 10 islands (nine of them inhabited), with tourism as a primary source of income. With its arid climate, limited rainfall, and economic dependency on imports, the contrast between the experience within resort hotels and the realities of local life is stark.

I was listening to a talk recently about disappointment, and one idea really stood out: disappointment often shows up when our expectations fail to meet reality. It’s in these moments—when things don’t go as planned—that we freeze. Fear takes over, and we’re left asking: What now? How do I respond?

I used to spend a lot of time travelling around England for financial services roadshows. We’d arrive early, set up our stand, and try to engage financial advisers about our latest offerings. But more often than not, it became clear that the real draw wasn’t the conversation — it was the free stuff on the table.

A few months ago, I launched the Money Wise UK podcast. The goal wasn't to set the world alight with radical ideas, but to continue the meaningful conversations I used to have in a previous role—conversations that often touched on values, purpose, and the difficult questions we tend to avoid.