Pensions, Inheritance Tax & the big April 2027 change: What you need to know

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Pensions have long been seen as one of the most tax-efficient ways to pass wealth to the next generation. But from April 2027, that could change dramatically.

In this episode, Dave sits down with financial planners Mat Bonney and Adrian to unpack one of the biggest proposed shifts to UK inheritance planning in years: the move to bring pension pots into inheritance tax calculations.

What does the change actually mean? Could your pension suddenly become liable for inheritance tax? And if you have a spouse, children, or multiple pension pots, what practical steps should you be thinking about now?

The conversation demystifies what is changing, why it matters, and how to avoid knee-jerk reactions. From pension nominations and nil-rate bands to retirement income planning and estate strategy, this episode explores why pensions can no longer be treated in isolation.

Dave also asks the questions many people approaching retirement are quietly wondering: Should I rethink my pension strategy? Is this the beginning of wider inheritance tax reform? And how do I avoid leaving a financial mess for my family?

Matt and Adrian stress the importance of keeping calm, getting informed, and planning carefully, while also highlighting some of the unintended consequences these rules could create for families facing difficult circumstances.

In this episode, we cover:

• What the proposed pension inheritance tax changes actually mean
• Why April 2027 could be a major financial “guillotine date”
• How pension nominations may need revisiting
• Why pensions may now need to be considered alongside the rest of your estate
• The risks of knee-jerk reactions and rushed decision-making
• Whether consolidating old pension pots could make life easier for loved ones
• Why pensions still remain an important retirement vehicle despite the changes
• The broader question: is this the start of bigger inheritance tax reform?

If pensions, retirement, inheritance, or financial planning feel confusing, this episode aims to cut through the noise and explain what really matters — without the jargon.

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