Pensions - tax treatment on death

Alongside the changes from April 2015 to the access of pension funds, significant changes were made to the tax treatment of pension funds on death. This factsheet summarises the rules which may allow a pension fund to pass free of all taxes on the estate of the deceased and free of all taxes on the beneficiaries of the pension fund.

IHT and pension funds

If an individual has not bought an annuity, a defined contribution pension fund remains available to pass on to selected beneficiaries. Inheritance tax (IHT) can be avoided by making a ‘letter of wishes’ to the pension provider suggesting to whom the funds should be paid. If an individual’s intention has not been expressed the funds may be paid to the individual’s estate resulting in a potential IHT liability.

Other tax charges on pension funds

Prior to 6 April 2015, there were other tax charges on death to reflect the principle that income tax relief would have been given on contributions into the pension fund and therefore some tax should be payable when the fund is paid out. For example:

• if the fund was paid as a lump sum to a beneficiary, tax at 55% of the fund value was payable
• if the fund was placed in a drawdown account to provide income to a ‘dependant’ (for example a spouse), the income drawn down was taxed at the dependant’s marginal rate of income tax.

There were some exceptions from the 55% charge. It was (and still is) possible to pass on a pension fund as a tax free lump sum where the individual has not taken any tax free cash or income from the fund and they die under the age of 75.

Other tax charges on pension funds

The government introduced significant exceptions from the tax charges for benefits first paid on or after 6 April 2015.

Under the revised rules, anyone who dies under the age of 75 is able to give their remaining defined contribution pension fund to anyone completely tax free, whether it is in a drawdown account or untouched.

The fund can be paid out as a lump sum to a beneficiary or taken out by the beneficiary through a ‘flexi-access drawdown account’.

Those aged 75 or over when they die will be able to pass their defined contribution pension fund to any beneficiary who will then be able to draw down on it as income at their marginal rate of income tax. Beneficiaries will also have the option of receiving the pension as a lump sum payment, subject to a tax charge of 45%.

The tax treatment does not apply to the extent that the pension fund exceeds the Lifetime Allowance (£1,073,100 million from 6 April 2020).

Tax treatment of inherited annuities

Beneficiaries of individuals who die under the age of 75 with a joint life or guaranteed term annuity are able to receive any future payments from such policies tax free. If the individual dies aged 75 or over beneficiaries can receive payments at their marginal tax rate.