IHTM17042 | Pensions: IHT charges: Contributions generally

From HM Revenue & Customs · Inheritance Tax Manual

Generally, when a person makes a contribution to a pension scheme, they do not make a transfer of value because the pension rights they acquire by making the contribution are within their estate.

There are two situations where contributions may result in a lifetime transfer;

  • the transferor contributes to their own pension scheme whilst in ill-health and the death benefits are payable outside the estate (), or

  • the transferor contributes to a pension scheme for someone else ()