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In the first of a two-part special on AI in paraplanning, Zara Okoro (pictured above) hears about the tools paraplanners are using now, the ways they’re being adopted, and the boundaries practitioners are drawing when it comes to their use.
In conversation with Benjamin Fabi of Principled Paraplanning, Aram Kupelian of Holden and Partners, Jonny Stubbs of Brooks Financial, and Ben Wright of Melo, Zara discovers how AI is already influencing multiple parts of day-to-day work that will be very familiar to paraplanners, such as meeting notes, research and collaboration.
But we also hear about reasons for caution: concerns about accuracy, security, and the pace of change.
What is clear is that we’re at the beginning of widespread adoption of AI tools in paraplanning. And no matter how much exposure you’ve had to AI at work so far, this episode (and the next) make for essential listening to understand what’s happening to paraplanning now and in the future.
As well as links to the podcast episode on Spotify, Apple and Acast, we’ve included downloads of Harriet Mayer’s slides on AI and paraplanning from The Big Day Out in 2025, and Harriet’s glossary of AI terms too.
Spotify: Listen to the podcast episode
Apple: Listen to the podcast episode
Podcast: Listen to the podcast episode
Download: Glossary of AI terms
Download Harriet's slides: An introduction to AI for paraplanners
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Budget measures are often the subject of media speculation. But the level of attention in the run-up to the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Budget statement on 26 November 2025 was unprecedented.
So did the reality match the hype?
For our final Assembly of 2025, we invited Les Cameron from M&G Wealth to join us and share his latest thoughts on what paraplanners need to know following Rachel Reeves’s statement.
Les covers a bunch of different topics that include:
Plus more besides. So if you want to catch up with what's been announced, what's changing, or what's staying the same, this is the Assembly for you.
This is the fifth Assembly of the year featuring experts from M&G Wealth's technical team. Here are the other four from 2025:
February 2025 – Pensions, death and taxes (with Les)
April 2025 – A guide to investment bond essentials for paraplanners (with Barrie Dawson)
August 2025 – Tax wrappers: which, why and when? (with Neil Macleod)
September 2025 – The pension IHT bombshell has landed – now what? (with Les)
Useful links
Watch the replay at Crowdcast (with chat)
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It’s been more than a decade since auto-enrolment in workplace pensions was first introduced by the UK Government.
And it’s fair to say that the measure has transformed the level of pension saving in the workplace. Plus it’s transformed the role that businesses (and their owners) can play in the financial wellbeing of their employees.
Mind you, there are plenty of paraplanners who weren’t around when auto-enrolment was rolled out. Or when the Pensions Commission was formed in 2005. Or when personal pensions were launched in 1988.
So in this bonus Assembly episode, we asked Barnett Waddingham’s DC pension and employee benefits expert, Lucy Clark, to provide paraplanners - whatever your level of expertise - with a primer on the origins of workplace pensions, auto-enrolment and where things might be going in the future.
In just 20 minutes, Lucy provides a potted history of personal pensions, stakeholder pensions, why the original Pensions Commission was formed and its legacy.
What’s more, Lucy walks through the employer duties that need to happen each pay period and the common pitfalls she sees in practice (contribution deductions and certification crop up a lot). She offers a helpful explanation of the net pay anomaly that's affected lower earners in occupational schemes and – this is a new one for us – Lucy talks about 'sidecar savings': an idea that could help people build emergency funds alongside their pension in future.
Speaking of the future, Lucy also considers what it might hold. We're talking potential changes to age thresholds, removing the lower earnings limit, and the ongoing push for contribution adequacy.
This is a fantastic backgrounder packed with knowledge, know-how and insight from a DC pension and employee benefits expert.
Here are the slides that Lucy ran through during her conversation with Richard.
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As paraplanners, many of us hold memberships with Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI), Personal Finance Society (PFS), or pay for LIBF courses.
So we pay our fees, collect our CPD, and maybe sit an exam or two. But are we really getting the most from these organisations?
What do they offer that can support us in our careers? And is one more suited to me than another? Or are all three much the same?
That’s what this Assembly was all about. We invited Chris Morris from CISI, Nicola Mellor from the PFS, and Sally Plant from LIBF to field questions posed in advance and in the chat by paraplanners.
Note: Because technology didn’t work the way it’s supposed to, Sally wasn’t able to join us on screen BUT she did join us in the Chat while her colleague (and director of financial services at the LIBF) John Somerville, was able to join Richard, Chris and Nicola on screen (from about 15 minutes in).
It’s a great conversation from start to finish and comprehensively explored:
Plus plenty more.
Once you’ve listened or watched, you’ll have a much clearer understanding of what each professional body offers, which could be the right one for you, and how you can get more value from your membership.
There was so much to talk about that we didn’t manage to address even 50% of the questions that paraplanners had submitted so we’ll be setting up a second session featuring Chris, Nicola and - hopefully - Sally early in 2026.
Watch the Replay at Crowdcast (with Chat)
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When a client dies, their will isn’t necessarily the final word on how their estate gets distributed. Deeds of variation and disclaimers give beneficiaries a valuable window – two years from death – to reshape inheritances in ways that can reduce tax bills and improve family outcomes – often both.
In the latest episode in our ‘Technically speaking’ series, we invited Steve Sayer from Utmost to join host Richard Allum, to cast his expert gaze on the post-death planning issues that paraplanners need to consider.
During the hour-long session, Steve explains:
What’s more, the session also explores disclaimers – the simpler but more restrictive alternative to variations. Steve clarifies:
Throughout the episode, Steve offers examples to help illustrate concepts such as periodic charges and ten-year anniversaries.
If you’re working on suitability reports that cover post-death planning options, are supporting a client following a death, or would just like to give your technical knowledge a boost, this is the ideal ‘Technically speaking’ episode for you.
Useful links
CPD: Take the quiz to receive your certificate
Slides: Deeds of variation and disclaimers
Utmost Technical Academy webinar series
Utmost x Paraplanners' Assembly: all our previous sessions
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It's more than a year since speculation ahead of last autumn's Budget led to a surge of savers raiding their pension pots in a bid to beat rumoured changes to tax-free lump sums.
But when no changes were announced and people sought to reverse their withdrawals, they discovered that the 30-day cancellation rule didn't apply. Or did it?
That confusion over conduct of business rules led to calls for HMRC and the FCA to clarify whether or not savers could cancel – and they've now responded.
In this episode of the Paraplanners' Assembly podcast popular Assembly expert, James Jones-Tinsley of Barnett Waddingham explains how cancellations became an issue, what the clarification means for clients, what regulatory issues the statement throws up, and what paraplanners need to know from now on.
During the podcast, Richard mentions James's article for FT Adviser, which you can find here:
Lump sum cancellations: members have been left vulnerable to misunderstanding
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If you want to know what's on the minds of other paraplanners, then this is definitely the Assembly for you.
That’s because Scottish Widows's Craig Spittal joined host, Richard Allum, and guest Alison Neale of Principle Paraplanning, to exclusively reveal key findings of this year's Scottish Widows' Paraplanner Survey ahead of it's formal publication in November 2025.
During this recording of a lunch-hour online Assembly, Craig shares findings from a sample of 200 paraplanners who completed the third annual survey of paraplanners. Topics covered include:
Listen and you’ll hear practical insights, honest reflections, and a clear idea of where paraplanners like you think our profession is heading.
So tuck in to a helping of hot-of-the-press original research and take this chance to reflect on the attitudes and trends that are influencing paraplanning today.
Make sure to grab your CPD certificate for watching or listening to this Assembly by visiting the link below. You can also download the slides that Craig shared during this Assembly.
Download: Craig's slides (opens PDF in new tab)
Watch the Replay at Crowdcast (with Chat)
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As paraplanners, we have the power to transform retirement outcomes by understanding how product innovations can take these critical risks off the table. But are we truly using the full toolkit available to us? Or are we sticking with conventional approaches that might not deliver the stable, reliable income our clients need?
It matters because retirement planning has evolved beyond traditional drawdown strategies. The FCA expects us to distinguish between accumulation and decumulation approaches, and innovative product solutions now exist that can protect clients from running out of money.
This Assembly was the second part of our exploration into the retirement risk zone, focusing specifically on how product innovations can deliver better outcomes for your clients and featuring guest Connor Stewart from Standard Life in conversation with host Richard Allum.
Together, they explore what clients want from retirement, how regulatory expectations are driving change, and how you can use cutting-edge product solutions to deliver the security and growth your clients need.
This episode offers actionable insights into product innovations that can transform your retirement planning approach. You’ll understand how to match these solutions to specific client needs and circumstances, ensuring you can deliver genuinely tailored retirement strategies.
Here are useful links and downloads from this event. Standard Life have created a dedicated page for this event where you can access your CPD. Just follow the link.
CPD: Download your certificate
Watch the Replay of this Assembly at Crowdcast (with Chat)
Video: watch this Assembly at Vimeo (does not include Chat)
Web: Event page at paraplannersassembly.co.uk
Part one in this series
Web: Part one at paraplannersassembly.co.uk
Watch the Replay of part one at Crowdcast (with Chat)
Video: watch part one at Vimeo (does not include Chat)
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In this bonus episode, The Big Day Out 2025 hosts, Aleks Sasin and Chris Wormell, join one of the Paraplanners' Assembly organisers, Maxine Cameron, to look forward to our annual gathering at FarmED near Chipping Norton in the Cotswolds.
In 20 minutes you'll learn all about:
There are a handful of tickets left if you'd like to take part in this year's annual gathering. To grab a ticket, visit The Big Day Out 2025
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Whether you’re just starting out in paraplanning or looking to make your next move, having a clear career plan makes all the difference. But how do you actually build one that works?
That’s what this Assembly is all about: the practicalities of creating a plan for your career; an approach that you can use no matter what stage you’re at in your professional life.
Caroline Stuart, owner and founder of Sparrow Paraplanning, hosted the conversation which featured four brilliant guests: Ellie Welling paraplanning team leader at Succession Wealth, Joe Jacob, paraplanner at FLP, Peter Spence, advice and paraplanning team leader at Fintuity, and Sarah Purves, learning and development expert at Aegon.
Together, they explored a practical framework for career planning that goes beyond wishful thinking to create actionable next steps.
During this Assembly we:
You’ll leave with a practical framework that you can use immediately to plan your next career step – plus real-world insights from paraplanners who’ve successfully navigated their own career transitions at different stages.
Most importantly, you’ll have a clear action plan rather than just good intentions. So if you’ve been thinking about where you go next in your paraplanning career, this session is the perfect place to turn those ideas into practical actions.
This Assembly would not be possible without the generous support of Aegon. Thank you to the team at Aegon for supporting and for backing the development of paraplanners and paraplanning in the UK through their support of the Paraplanners’ Assembly.
Here are the links mentioned in this Assembly. Once you’ve watched or listened, make sure you tap the link to receive your CPD certificate (first link below).
Download: Career plan template
Episode 1 in this careers series
Episode 2 in this careers series
Episode 3 in this careers series
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The last time the UK government convened a Pensions Commission it resulted in the equalisation of the State Pension Age between men and women, the launch of auto-enrolment plus the creation of the National Employment Savings Trust – better known as NEST.
So will the recently re-constituted Pensions Commission prove to be as consequential as the last?
To answer that question, we invited Barnett Waddingham’s self-invested pensions specialist, James Jones-Tinsley, to join host Richard Allum, to share his thoughts on the scope of the Commission and what it could mean for paraplanners and clients.
In 20 minutes, James explains why it has been necessary to revive the Pensions Commission and what problem it has been asked to address.
As well as considering the big trends driving reform - such as demographic pressures - the conversation covers:
Plus James and Richard discuss how advice professionals can influence the Commission's work through upcoming consultations.
All in all, this episode is a fantastic backgrounder for paraplanners who want to stay ahead of changes in pensions and pension policy.
Alongside the Pensions Commission, the Government has also launched a review of State Pension Age. James has also recorded a podcast on that too. You can find the podcast on Spotify, Apple and Acast, or by searching 'Paraplanners' Assembly' on your podcast app.
James has recently published posts and comment articles on the topic of the Pensions Commission and State Pension Age review. Here are the links:
Sipps Professional
James Jones-Tinsley: State Pension Age of 68 may move nearer
Barnett Waddingham blog
Will the Pensions Commission fix pension under-saving?
State Pension Age review: what advisers need to know
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Here's a question that might keep you awake at night: what do you tell clients who've spent years building pension pots specifically because they were IHT-free, only to discover that's all changed?
On 21 July 2025, HMRC published their response to the pension IHT consultation, along with draft legislation that will bring unused pension pots into the inheritance tax net from April 2027. The writing's been on the wall since Rachel Reeves' October 2024 Budget announcement, but now we have the detail and it's time to work out what this means for our clients.
As paraplanners, we're about to face some of the most fundamental shifts in retirement and estate planning strategy we've seen in years. The days of treating pensions as the IHT-free golden goose are numbered, and clients will be looking to us for answers.
This isn't just about understanding the new rules. It's about completely rethinking how we approach pension planning, estate planning, and the delicate balance between the two.
We were joined by M&G's Les Cameron to eexplore the different options to mitigate pension-driven IHT liabilities including:
You'll leave this Assembly with a clear understanding of how the new IHT rules will work in practice and with strategies you can implement immediately to help clients navigate this changing landscape.
Fair warning: there's so much ground to cover that we may run slightly over our usual 60 minutes. If we do, we'll schedule a follow-up session to tackle any outstanding questions.
Here are useful links and downloads from this event. M&G Wealth have created a dedicated page for this event where you can take a quiz to receive a record for your CPD. Just follow the link to grab your certificate.
Receive your CPD: take the quiz at M&G's site
Download: Les's slides (opens PDF)
Video: watch the Replay at Crowdcast (with Chat)
Video: watch this Assembly on Vimeo (without Chat)
Watch or listen: Les Cameron on pensions, death and taxes
Watch or listen: A guide to investment bond essentials for paraplanners
Watch or listen: Tax wrappers: which, why and when
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Host Richard Allum is joined by Barnett Waddingham’s James Jones-Tinsley for a bonus episode exploring the government’s announcement of an independent review of the state pension age review and its potential consequences for retirement planning.
As well as considering the scope of the review, which is being led by Dr Suzy Morrissey, deputy director of the Pensions Policy Institute (PPI), and what it means for the future, Richard and James discuss
They discuss:
The review’s call for evidence closes on 24 October 2025. And with its focus on life expectancy and intergenerational equity, this episode is essential listening for paraplanners keen to stay ahead of the debate and its likely effects on retirement advice long into the future.
You'll find the Government's open call for evidence at the Review's webpage:
Third State Pension age review: independent report call for evidence
James's post about the State Pension age review is available at Barnett Waddingham's blog:
Government to reassess the State Pension age
Plus Sipps Professional published a comment article on the State Pension age at its site:
James Jones-Tinsley: State Pension age of 68 may move nearer
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You’ve established yourself as a paraplanner, but now you’re thinking: ‘What next?’
For many paraplanners, staying in paraplanning is exactly what they want to do. But what does career development look like within the profession? How have people built on their paraplanning skills and experience? And what about those considering a move into other areas like financial planning or specialising in research or operations?
This Assembly, recorded on 3 September explored some of the career routes within and from paraplanning.
Our host Caroline Stuart, owner and founder of Sparrow Paraplanning, is joined by Ellie Bailey, paraplanning team leader at Succession Wealth, Farida Hassanali, client manager at Paradigm Norton, Rebecca Tuck, operations director at FLP Financial Life Planning and Sian Greenhill, operations executive and centralised investment and product committee at Brooks Financial – all sharing their perspectives on career progression and specialisation.
You’ll leave this Assembly with your head full of good ideas for potential career development and a bucket load of insights from people who’ve successfully made these transitions and you can claim one hour’s CPD.
This continues our series on paraplanning career development. Don’t miss our previous sessions exploring how to break into paraplanning and choosing the right place to work for your early paraplanning career.
Join us online at 1pm on Wednesday 1st October 2025 for ‘Developing as a paraplanner: ‘How do I build a career?’’
This Assembly would not be possible without the generous support of Aegon. Thank you to the team at Aegon for supporting and for backing the development of paraplanners and paraplanning in the UK through their support of the Paraplanners’ Assembly.
Here are the links mentioned in this Assembly. Once you’ve watched or listened, make sure you tap the link to receive your CPD certificate (first link below).
Crowdcast: watch the Replay (with Chat)
Vimeo: watch video of this Assembly (without Chat)
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Once upon a time, when taxes were relatively low, ISAs and unwrapped investments seemed like pretty obvious choices for clients' money.
But the big cut in the capital gains tax allowance and rises in tax on gains and dividends has changed things. Tax wrappers that once seemed like more hassle than they were worth (like investment bonds) could now be the ideal vehicle – especially for higher rate taxpayers.
That’s the question that guest Neil Macleod from M&G's technical team was invited to answer when he joined host, Leanne Pickering, for this Assembly.
Over the course of one lunch hour, Leanne and Neil explored when bonds are more suitable, when offshore makes sense, and why the 'best' mathematical answer might not actually be the right choice for your client. In this Assembly you’ll:
You’ll discover that the right choice for your clients isn't just about what the spreadsheet says but about the broader thinking
What’s more, once you’ve listened, follow the link below and you can request a record of 1 hour’s worth CPD too.
Useful links
Here are useful links and downloads from this event. M&G Wealth have created a dedicated page for this event where you can take a quiz to receive a record for your CPD. Just follow the link to grab your certificate.
To receive a record of participation for CPD, follow this link ➜ https://bit.ly/47zAs6g
You can also download Neil's slides (opens PDF).
You can watch the Replay of this Assembly at Crowdcast (includes Chat) ➜ https://www.crowdcast.io/c/fgnir28tysqh
Or you can watch on Vimeo (without the chat) over here ➜ https://vimeo.com/1111664975
Leanne mentioned two Assemblies featuring M&G's technical team in 2025. Here’s the Les Cameron’s Assembly on pensions, death and taxes ➜ https://bit.ly/3RhZvl9
And here’s Barrie Dawson’s Assembly on investment bond essentials ➜ https://bit.ly/4cuQuPa
You’ll find the tax wrapper comparison tool here ➜ https://bit.ly/3JrGUSJ
Here’s M&G’s Bond School ➜ https://bit.ly/4mor2z0
You’ll find loads of tools and calculators at M&G’s Tech Matters site here ➜ https://bit.ly/3RkVNY0
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Whether you’re considering a move into paraplanning, just landed your first role or are just curious about the options, one question you might keep wondering about: ‘What kind of organisation should I work for?’
Do you choose in-house team or outsourced provider? A small boutique practice or large corporate? Whichever you choose, there will be pros and cons, so how do you decide which is most suitable for you?
This Assembly – recorded on 6 August 2025 – lifts the lid on different paraplanning career paths and workplace structures. It’s the second in a series of Assemblies looking at careers in paraplanning and supported by Aegon.
Our host Caroline Stuart of Sparrow Paraplanning is joined by Julie South, owner of Bee Paraplanning, Sarah Lees, senior paraplanner at Forvis Mazars and Jo Parkes, paraplanning manager at Navigatus – paraplanners with experience of working in all kinds of organisations and are ready to share what it’s meant for their careers.
Over the course of the Assembly, they discuss:
You’ll leave with a clearer picture of your paraplanning options, practical insights from experienced practitioners, and the confidence to take your next career step.
This Assembly would not be possible without the generous support of Aegon. Thank you to the team at Aegon for supporting and for backing the development of paraplanners and paraplanning in the UK through their support of the Paraplanners’ Assembly.
This is the second Assembly in a series on breaking into and developing your career in paraplanning. Discover the first in the series Breaking into paraplanning: where do I even start?.
Here are the links mentioned in this Assembly. Once you’ve watched or listened, make sure you tap the link to receive your CPD certificate (first link below).
Crowdcast: watch the Replay (with Chat)
Vimeo: watch video of this Assembly (without Chat)
Plannex (previously known as NextGen Planners)
Glassdoor - for employees’ opinions about employers
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Last Monday (21 July 2025), the UK Government published draft legislation which means that, from April 2027, most unused pension savings and death benefits will count towards your estate when you die.
If you're wondering…
...you're not alone.
So in this bonus podcast episode, host Richard Allum met up with Barnett Waddingham’s James Jones-Tinsley to talk through the Government’s planned changes, what they mean for paraplanners and your clients, and suggest practical steps that you can already take to help clients get ready for the change.
The measures, which feature in the Finance Bill 2025-26, could still change as the proposals make their way through Parliament from September. But if you're wondering where things stand right now and what you should be thinking about for clients with decent-sized pension pots, this is a fantastic update that gives you the current picture.
Speaking of the Finance Bill…
If you’ve ever wondered how Budget measures become law, James met up with Leanne Pickering of Pivotal Paraplanning last year to walk through each step in the process. Here's the podcast episode:
From Parliament to paraplanner: How do Budget measures become law?
And speaking of pensions…
James has recorded a series of really helpful jargon busters on new and old pensions exclusively for the Assembly:
New pensions jargon: part one
Listen: A plain English guide to new pensions jargon: part one
Watch: A plain English guide to old pensions jargon: part one
New pension jargon: part two
Listen: A plain English guide to new pensions jargon: part two
Watch: A plain English guide to old pensions jargon: part two
Old pensions jargon: parts one, two and three
Listen: A plain English guide to old pensions jargon: part one
Watch: A plain English guide to old pensions jargon: part one
Listen: A plain English guide to old pensions jargon: part two
Watch: A plain English guide to old pensions jargon: part two
Listen: A plain English guide to old pensions jargon: part three
Watch: A plain English guide to old pensions jargon: part three
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The choices clients make during the 5-10 years either side of retirement can decide how comfortable they’ll be once they stop working.
In fact, it’s such a distinctive stage in our financial lives that, among a growing number of advice professionals, it’s known as the ‘retirement risk zone’.
The data says – and you’ll know this yourself – that clients tend to become more risk-averse on their approach to retirement. Yet the likelihood of longer lifespans – and the costs associated with it – mean that ‘playing it safe’ could actually prove to be risky.
What’s more, persistent economic uncertainty and instability, not forgetting the FCA’s retirement income review exposing gaps in advice quality, means hatching a plan that helps clients swerve unnecessary risks around retirement has never been more important.
In this online Assembly Connor Stewart from Standard Life joins host, Richard Allum, to explore the features of the retirement risk zone.
Together they consider the risks that can trip clients up – things like the shift from accumulation to decumulation, sequencing returns, and adapting to changing financial priorities in an uncertain world – before considering practical ways to tackle them.
Listen and you’ll hear practical ideas to help guide clients through one of the trickiest phases of their financial lives. So how about it? Fancy zoning in on retirement risk? Then tune in now.
Here are the links mentioned in this Assembly. Once you’ve watched or listened, make sure you tap the link to receive your CPD certificate (first link below).
Connor's slides: retirement risk zone (PDF)
Vimeo: watch video of this Assembly (without Chat)
Crowdcast: watch the Replay (with Chat)
Annuities essentials: part one
Annuities essentials: part two
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With recent changes to capital gains tax rates reaching up to 24% and the CGT annual exemption frozen at just £3,000, many clients are looking for tax-efficient ways to structure their investments.
In his latest 'Technically speaking' session for the Paraplanners' Assembly, Utmost's Steve Sayer explores how offshore bonds and trust structures work together – offering inheritance tax planning options that provide flexibility for clients who want to be prepared for the 'what ifs' of life.
Steve brings the options to life with a series of examples of different trust arrangements and how they can be combined.
He’ll show you how discounted gift trusts can provide an immediate reduction in estate value, how loan trusts offer capital access, and why reversionary interest trusts might help hesitant clients take their first steps with inheritance tax planning.
The session includes a detailed case study showing how married clients in their sixties, with £3.5 million in assets, could use multiple trust structures to meet their annual income needs all while reducing their inheritance tax liability.
What's more, you'll learn about the planning opportunities that come with non-UK long term residence status and how offshore bonds can keep assets outside the UK inheritance tax net.
And to round off his session, Steve shares a decision-tree approach that you’re bound to find useful when you’re weighing up client needs.
Grab a copy of Steve’s slides - plus a certificate for your CPD
Slides: trusts and offshore bonds - options for IHT
Then make sure to take our quick quiz to receive a certificate for your CPD:
CPD: Take the quiz to receive your certificate
Other useful links
Steve mentions Utmost's conversion guide for discounted gift trusts. You can download it here:
Discounted gift trust: conversion guide (May 2025)
Fancy watching this Assembly instead? Then visit the event page at the Paraplanners' Assembly website:
Technically speaking: Trusts and offshore bonds - options for IHT planning
You can find all our previous technical sessions with Utmost here:
Utmost x Paraplanners' Assembly: all our previous sessions
And don't forget to take a look at Utmost's Technical Academy webinar series too.
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What knowledge, experience and skills will help you get hired? And, once you are hired, how will you know you’ve actually made the right choice?
Whether you want to get into paraplanning, are just starting out, or know someone who would love to get their break, this online Assembly – recorded on 9 July 2025 – is jam-packed with insights on making your move into paraplanning.
Host Caroline Stuart is joined by paraplanning guests Chris Wormwell, Ceetal Katechia and Kez Condy, plus personal development expert Sarah Purves of Aegon.
Over the course of one podcast, you’ll discover how each of our paraplanners took very different routes into the profession.
Among the topics covered are
Once you’ve listened to this Assembly, you can request a certificate for 1½ hours CPD. Just follow the link below.
This online Assembly would not be possible without the generous support of Aegon. Thank you to the team at Aegon for supporting next week’s Assembly – and for backing the development of paraplanners and paraplanning in the UK through their support of the Paraplanners’ Assembly.
There are loads of links following this Assembly. First of all, once you’ve listened to this episode, make sure you tap the link to receive your CPD certificate: https://paraplannersassembly.typeform.com/to/ocHx6IFO
You can also watch the Replay of this Assembly at Crowdcast (includes Chat): https://www.crowdcast.io/c/5xznwgskdxz9
Or view it on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/1100103967
Sarah mentioned the fantastic idea of picking people for your ‘personal boardroom’. Here’s a link that tells you more: https://www.personalboardroom.com/for-individuals/
Caroline recommended downloading the PFS’s booklet ‘Getting you started in paraplanning’ (opens a PDF)
Chris mentioned The Chimp Paradox – a ‘mind management model grounded in neuroscience’ by Prof Steve Peters.
Kez talked about her experience of a paraplanning apprenticeship. To find out more, visit the Skills England Apprenticeship finder, which tells you more about the new combined Financial Planning and Paraplanning apprenticeship. There is currently one provider – Skills Edge Training – but we understand there may be more entering.
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