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Inheritance Tax Planning

You’ve worked hard to build wealth. Don’t let the wrong plan give too much of it to HMRC.

Inheritance Tax used to affect the wealthy. Now, it’s creeping into more households, and from October 2027, that will only accelerate.

The government has confirmed that from October 2027, pensions will no longer be exempt from Inheritance Tax. That means pensions, often one of the most tax-efficient assets to leave behind, will now be included in your estate.

Understanding the basics

Currently, IHT is charged at 40% on the value of your estate above your available allowances. For most people, that means:

  • £325,000 Nil Rate Band
  • £175,000 Residence Nil Rate Band (if you pass your home to a direct descendant)
  • Double this for couples or widows

Anything above that is taxed, unless you plan ahead.

With rising house prices, growing pensions, and frozen tax thresholds, it’s becoming more common for ordinary families to face six-figure IHT bills.

What changes in 2027?

Until now, pensions could be passed down free of IHT. From October 2027, this benefit will be removed. So, what was once seen as an estate planning tool (attack the pension last) may no longer work. This means pension planning, income strategy, and gifting need to be reviewed in light of these changes.

How Strive Helps

Gifting through annual allowances or larger one-off lump sums, with careful planning to maximise tax efficiency

Gifting from surplus regular income to avoid the usual seven-year gifting rules and transfer wealth more smoothly

Drawing on pensions earlier to release funds while freeing up other assets to pass on outside the estate more effectively

Writing life cover policies into trust to help ensure the expected inheritance tax bill can be covered when required

Placing valuable assets into trusts while still maintaining some level of access or control for future flexibility

Considering Business Property Relief qualifying investments to reduce inheritance tax exposure and protect family wealth
Inheritance tax Planning and Trusts are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Your estate is too valuable to leave unplanned.

Book your free call and let’s build a strategy that protects what you’ve built—for the people who matter most.
At Strive, we charge a percentage-based fee, which is fully transparent and aligned with your outcomes. However, we don’t charge anything for the first two meetings. This includes your initial discovery meeting, full financial analysis, and a personalised proposal. All at no cost, and with no obligation to proceed.

You’ll only pay a fee if you decide to go ahead with our recommendations. Everything is clearly explained upfront, with no hidden charges.


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Strive Financial Planning Ltd is an appointed representative of Quilter Financial Services Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Strive Financial Planning Ltd is Registered in England and Wales, No: 16577051. Registered Address: Ingle Dene, Cragg Road, Hebden Bridge, HX7 5EN.

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