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UK Pensions & Inheritance Tax Changes | Webinar with Michael Sappal & Claire Spinks

Webinars • UK Pensions & Inheritance Tax Changes | Webinar with Michael Sappal & Claire Spinks

  • Pensions

Many people have spent years building pension wealth with retirement in mind.

Many people have spent years building pension wealth with retirement in mind.

However, from 6 April 2027, a significant change to UK inheritance tax rules will affect how most unused pension funds and pension death benefits are treated when someone dies.

For many years, pensions have often been viewed differently from other assets when considering estate planning. The upcoming changes mean pension wealth may now form part of an estate for inheritance tax purposes, creating new considerations for individuals, families, and particularly those with cross-border financial arrangements.

In this session, Michael Sappal (Chartered Financial Planner) and Claire Spinks (Global Head of Tax) will explain what is changing, who may be affected, and why many pension holders may wish to review their wider financial planning arrangements before April 2027.

The session will take a practical, educational approach, helping attendees understand the legislation, the potential implications for their estate, and the key areas worth reviewing as part of a broader long-term plan.

In this session, we will explore:

  • What changes on 6 April 2027, and why the rules are changing
  • How pensions have traditionally been treated for inheritance tax purposes
  • The difference between the current rules and the new rules
  • Why age 75 remains an important consideration when passing pension wealth to beneficiaries
  • How the spouse exemption continues to apply for married couples and civil partners
  • The potential interaction between inheritance tax and income tax on inherited pensions
  • Why larger pension funds may require closer review
  • How the changes may affect UK expats and internationally mobile families
  • The impact of long-term residence rules and cross-border planning considerations
  • Common areas worth reviewing, including beneficiary nominations, estate plans, retirement income strategies, and family objectives
  • The role financial planning, tax planning, and estate planning can play in understanding your overall position

This session is particularly relevant for:

  • UK expats with UK pension assets
  • Individuals approaching retirement or already retired
  • Those with substantial defined-contribution pension funds
  • Families considering how wealth may pass to future generations
  • Individuals with assets, beneficiaries, or financial interests across multiple countries
  • Anyone who has not reviewed their estate planning arrangements in recent years

The session will focus on helping attendees understand the changes, assess whether they may be affected, and identify areas that may be worth reviewing before the new rules take effect.

Our Speakers

Michael Sappal

Wealth Planner

Michael is a Chartered Financial Planner based in Dubai, with more than ten years’ experience in financial services. He began his career in the UK, working across retirement planning, investment strategy and pension transfers. Since moving to Dubai, his work has focused on cross-border financial planning for internationally mobile clients. 

Michael holds Chartered Financial Planner status and the CII Level 6 Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning. He maintains his professional development to meet regulatory and professional standards. 

His approach centres on providing clear, practical advice on cross-border financial matters, with careful attention to regulatory requirements. He advises on areas such as pension consolidation, retirement planning and the structuring of international finances, tailoring recommendations to individual circumstances. 

 Licensed, Registered, or Regulated In  

  • Middle East, by the CMA and DFSA 
  • UK, in the process of registering with FCA 
  • Europe, in the process of registering with Cysec 

Areas of Expertise 

  • Pension Transfers 
  • Retirement and pension planning 
  • Investment portfolio structuring 
  • Cross-border financial planning 
  • Family & lifestyle protection 
  • Long-term savings and wealth accumulation 

Qualifications 

  • CII Level 6 Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning 
  • CII Level 4 Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning 
  • CII Level 4 Certificate in Discretionary Investment Management 
  • CII Level 4 Certificate in Securities Advice and Dealing 
  • LIBF Level 3 Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice (CeMAP) 
  • PFS Associate Member of the Chartered Insurance Institute 

Claire Spinks

Global Head of Tax

Claire Spinks leads our global tax function, specialising in wealth preservation, intergenerational planning and complex UK tax matters for internationally mobile individuals. She is a Chartered Tax Adviser with more than twenty years advising high net worth clients on UK income tax, Capital Gains tax, Inheritance Tax and trust and estate planning. A Fellow of the Association of Taxation Technicians and an affiliate of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, she holds advanced credentials in international UK taxes and probate. Before joining Hoxton Wealth, she headed UK tax teams at Progeny and The Fry Group, guiding cross border clients with clarity and discipline.

Contact Hoxton Wealth

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