Expressions of wishes: What's the worst that can happen?

A critical part of death benefits planning

clock • 4 min read

Caitlin Southall takes a detailed look at expression of wishes and highlights the importance of keeping them up to date...

Expressions of wishes are requests from clients to their pension provider as to how to deal with their pension when they pass away. Often pension providers will supply their own forms to complete, requesting specific instructions as to how the pension is to be distributed, and clients have the opportunity to split by asset or percentage of the overall pot. Think of them as like a will for the pension, bearing in mind that the pension will sit outside of the wider estate from a both a will and inheritance tax perspective. A client's circumstances are likely to naturally change over ...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Pensions

First three firms complete pensions dashboards ecosystem connection

First three firms complete pensions dashboards ecosystem connection

Heywood, L&G and Pension Fusion have completed final stages required to connect

Holly Roach
clock 05 March 2025 • 3 min read
Post-Budget IHT planning: Gifting options in light of pension changes

Post-Budget IHT planning: Gifting options in light of pension changes

Withdrawals need to be spent, sheltered or gifted

Andrew Tully
clock 03 March 2025 • 4 min read
Pension transfers: Transparency vital in push to raise standards

Pension transfers: Transparency vital in push to raise standards

A glass half full for pension transfers?

Anthony Rafferty
clock 28 February 2025 • 3 min read