Nucleus calls on government to take action to increase awareness of change in rules around IHT and pensions
Research from Nucleus, the largest independent adviser platform group in the UK, shows that, despite it being only months until most unused pensions are included in an individual’s estate for IHT purposes, awareness of the change is worryingly low amongst UK adults.*
Of those who think it applies to them, a staggering two thirds (67%) are unaware. Equally concerning is that amongst those who are aware (31% net), very few have taken action.
- 19% have not done anything about it.
- 4% have spoken to a financial adviser about the change.
- 2% have reviewed or updated their Will as a result.
- 1% have made changes to their pensions, investments or other financial arrangements.
- 5% have researched the change to better understand it.
With the changes coming into effect from the new tax year on 6 April 2027, there is a real and urgent need for the government, as well as the industry, to take action to improve understanding and engagement amongst the public.
Awareness and action increase with age, but 56% of those aged 55+ are still unaware of the changes; just 6% have spoken to an adviser and 2% have checked or changed their Will, with the same number making changes to their financial arrangements.
While just over a quarter of respondents aged 55+ (27%) believe they are unlikely to be affected, one third of all UK adults (33%) expect to receive some form of inheritance, and a further 38% are actively planning to leave money or assets.
Commenting on this worrying research, Andrew Tully, Nucleus Technical Services Director said: “Retirement confidence is being undermined by a policy landscape that too often shifts beneath people’s feet. Frequent legislative and tax changes, including the move to bring most unused pension funds in scope for IHT, risk eroding trust and making long-term planning harder.
“With the new rules only months away, the government must urgently step up communication. The changes will create additional administrative and financial pressure for beneficiaries and personal representatives at an already difficult time, yet public awareness remains worryingly low.
“When pension policy is repeatedly revisited, revised or reversed, certainty becomes harder to achieve. Clear, consistent policy and timely communication are essential if people are to plan for retirement with confidence.
“What has not changed is the value of regulated financial advice. Planning for retirement is increasingly complex and the changing IHT rules have the potential to cost many families dearly without proper, informed preparation.”
* Source: YouGov research for Nucleus between 20th and 26th August 2026. 3,859 UK adults aged 18 and over. Figures have been recalculated after excluding respondents who answered “N/A – This change is not relevant to me/my estate is unlikely to be affected by IHT”.
Enquiries:
Head of Public Relations: Linda Harper (Monday - Wednesday) T: 07876 145309
Public Relations Manager: Alex Anderson T: 07401886395
E: newsroom@nucleusfinancial.com
Notes to editors:
All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 4859 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 20th and 26th August 2026. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).
About Nucleus
Nucleus Financial Platforms is one of the UK's leading independent groups for investment platforms, products and wealthtech software.
It’s the only large-scale group with a comprehensive range of bespoke platform solutions to meet the needs of advisory and investment management firms of all sizes.
It operates the Nucleus Platform and Nucleus Wrap retail investment platforms, and through Curtis Banks and Talbot and Muir is one of the UK’s largest administrators of SIPP and SSAS products.
With the wealthtech experience of Third Financial and Dunstan Thomas, Nucleus now powers some of the industry’s leading product providers, advisory firms and consolidators, discretionary investment managers, and institutions, with enterprise-wide, platform software solutions.
Working exclusively in partnership with over 5,000 financial advisory firms, the group now administers £118bn of investments on behalf of 251,000 UK customers, seeking to deliver great service and financial outcomes for them, and ultimately help make their retirement more rewarding.