Thinking about what’s going to happen to loved ones after we die isn’t something many of us want to contemplate. But when it comes to financial matters and inheritance, planning is key, and it may also bring some comfort to you and your family to know that loved ones will be provided for in line with your wishes.
Inheritances generally are getting bigger and, according to recent research from economic think-tank the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), they’re set to become an increasingly important part of overall household wealth.
It can also be prudent to start thinking about inheritance tax and inheritance planning relatively early in life – and some experts suggest your 40s could be a good time to start.
Getting started with inheritance planning
Here are some tips for getting started…
1. Be mindful of inheritance tax
Inheritance tax is a tax on the estate of someone who has died, including their property, possessions and money.
There’s normally no inheritance tax to pay if the value of an estate is below £325,000, or everything above that threshold is left to a spouse, civil partner or charity.
Shona Lowe, private client and corporate director at 1825, a financial planning brand from Standard Life, says: “The best time to start inheritance tax planning is long before you think it is necessary.
“It’s something to think about in your 40s, 50s and 60s, as soon as you know your estate value could mean a potential inheritance tax bill for your loved ones.”
2. You could make gifts to loved ones before your death
There’s usually no inheritance tax to pay on small gifts you make out of your normal income. However, Lowe cautions: “If you want to gift larger sums of money or assets, you can make a potentially exempt transfer.
“These can be unlimited in value but do come with a ‘seven-year clock’. This means that if you die within seven years, some or all of the value could still form part of your estate for inheritance tax purposes.”
3. Consider trusts
Lowe explains: “If the loss of control over money once it has been gifted makes you feel unsettled, or you want to make sure people don’t have access to your gift before you think they’re ready to handle it, think about using a trust.
“Assets placed in a trust that you can’t benefit from, sit outside your estate for inheritance tax purposes, so they can be a valuable part of an inheritance tax planning exercise.
“There are lots of different types of trust that each come with their own tax rules, so it’s best to consult a specialist to ensure you choose the one that best suits your and your beneficiaries’ future needs.”
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4. Talk to family members – and do it early
Svenja Keller, head of wealth planning at Killik & Co, says: “Estate planning is a big topic but it shouldn’t be avoided. Whilst it can be difficult to make large gifts or use other planning solutions when the family is still young, it is wise to go through the process of thinking about it early.
“Even if the result of the conversation is concluding you will only do small things now, but plan to do more in the future, at least the family knows where they stand.
“This also helps with the overall family conversation – if you have conversations from an early age, it becomes more normal to talk about these things.”
A group of funeral directors are calling for the subject of death and bereavement to be taught in schools in the wake of the pandemic, and the public support the idea. 67% say it should be taught, only 13% say it shouldn’t https://t.co/H9yAjfzfAl pic.twitter.com/AheuaQ8zrv
— YouGov (@YouGov) March 16, 2021
5. Don’t feel guilty about spending
Keller says: “If the objective is to minimise inheritance tax, spending the money and enjoying life can be a good option.”
People may feel guilty about spending their money rather than passing it on, but Keller says: “Remember it is your money to spend, you’ve worked hard for it. It is also good practice to ensure you have sufficient funds for yourself, now and in the future, before wealth is passed on to the next generations.
“The pandemic has made considering this even more important; we found at Killik & Co that half (48%) of UK grandparents have stepped in to financially support their grandchildren during the Covid-19 outbreak, despite being concerned about their own retirement income,” Keller adds.
6. Think about keeping it simple
“Complex solutions aren’t always a bad thing – they do have their place – but be careful what you agree to and to what extent you tie yourself in,” says Keller. “It’s important you understand all your options first and compare them to each other in terms of costs, complexity and flexibility.”
7. Finally, consider getting advice from somebody suitably qualified
Keller says: “You don’t know what you don’t know, and it is easy to miss or misinterpret a small part of the rules. If in doubt, speak to an adviser. Financial advisers, private client solicitors and tax advisers all have expertise in this field.”
