What happens to my pension if I die?

If you have a personal pension and die before benefits are taken, the full value of the plan is paid gross to your estate. An alternative option is the fund could be used to provide a spouse’s pension.

The tax implications would be as follows:

• Spouse – No tax implications.
• Children – Inheritance tax may apply depending on the amount and thresholds.
• Cohabitating Partner – May be liable to tax depending on the amount and thresholds.

The Revenue website provides specific information regarding inheritance tax.

Again, similar to personal pensions, if you die before retirement benefits are taken, the full value of your PRSA is paid gross to your estate.

You will also have an alternative option of a spouse’s pension.

As above, beneficiaries will be liable to inheritance tax. Although, there is no inheritance tax between spouses or civil partners.

It is worth noting that pension income is subject to income tax and USC in the hands of the spouse.

In the case of a Vested PRSA, they are treated the same as ARFs on death.

On death, your PRB will be treated the same as a personal pension or PRSA.

If an employee continues in the same employment and rejoins a company pension scheme then benefits are paid under the company scheme death in service rules.

If you die while part of your employer’s Defined Contribution (DC) scheme, the value of your pension pot may be payable to your estate.

The maximum lump sum that can be provided is 4 times the final salary at the date of death. This will include any death benefits from company pension schemes from earlier employments.

Death benefits from personal pensions or PRSAs will not be included.

Beneficiaries will be liable to inheritance tax. Although, spouses and civil partners will be exempt.

If you have left service and have a preserved benefit, the full value of your pension plan is paid gross to your estate.

The usual inheritance tax rules will apply as per above.

Death following the drawdown of an Annuity

 An annuity gives the policy owner the guarantee of a specific income for life. There are three types of annuities which are:-

• • Single-Life – This will provide you with a guaranteed income only for you for the rest of your life.
  • Joint-Life – If you have someone who relies on you financially, it may be worth considering a joint-life annuity option.
  • Enhanced – This is where the life insurance company will assess your health and give a quote based on that data.

In the majority of cases, the annuity contact will die with the contract owner. However, in some cases such as joint-life, a spouse or dependant may be entitled to benefits after you die.

Choosing a spouse/civil partner annuity pension ensures that, should you die before your named spouse/civil partner, a person will be paid to them for the remainder of their life.

You may also have the option of choosing a guaranteed period. This means should you die during that period, your pension continues to pay out for that chosen period.

Often this will be over 10 years. Should you die in year one, your pension will pay the remaining nine years.

Death while holding an ARF/AMRF

If you are the holder of an ARF or AMRF pension when you die, the remaining funds are inheritable by your spouse/civil partner or other beneficiaries.

If you leave your ARF to a spouse or civil partner, they are eligible to transfer the funds to an ARF in their own name tax-free. They will not be liable to Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT) nor income tax.

However, any subsequent withdrawals from their ARF will be liable to income tax and PRSI/USC where relevant.

If you chose to leave your ARF funds to any other beneficiaries, they may have to pay income tax or CAT. It will be dependent on their relationship to you and circumstances.

As the saying goes, death and taxes are the only certainties in life. When you die your pension will be no different. However, your relationship with the person passing you benefits, and the scheme type are two important factors.

Any benefits emerging from a pension on the death of a member will likely have Captial Acquisitions Tax (CAT) and/or income tax liabilities.

Below we look at the inheritability of pension lump sums and ARF/AMRF’s in more detail.

Receiving a lump sum will be subject to Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT) at 33%. Although, there are some exceptions:-

Under current pension legislation, spouses and civil partners are exempt from CAT on inheriting pension benefits. This also applies to those who are divorced or have their civil partnership dissolved.

Spouses and civil partners will pension benefits are liable to USC and income tax during the course of payment. However, they are not liable to PRSI deductions.

The inheritability surrounding your ARF will depend on your relationship with the individual who has died. We have broken it down into the following scenarios:

This is where your ARF is transferred from the deceased to a spouse/civil partner. You effectively replace them as the owner of the ARF.

In this instance, you will not be liable to CAT or income tax. However, as you begin to withdraw income from the pension you will be subject to income tax.

Rules surrounding the distribution of an ARF to children will be dependent on their age. 

As we see from the table above, the child inheriting the benefits being over 21 years of age will be a huge factor.

Now let us look at the example where the child is under the age of 21.

When liable to Capital Acquisitions Tax, there are certain thresholds to be taken into account. 

If an ARF is distributed to anyone other than a spouse or child, then the benefits will be subject to income tax at the marginal rate of 41% along with CAT.

Capital Acquisitions Tax is a tax on gifts and inheritances. These gifts or inheritance are taxed if they’re over a certain limit or threshold.

As we see below, the relationship between the disponer and beneficiary will have an impact on the inheritance threshold limit.

(source:www.revenue.ie) 

Capital Acquisitions Tax is currently charged at 33% on gifts or inheritances over the above thresholds.

For example, if you received €1 million from your parents, your tax bill would look like the following.

It is worth noting that any tax liability must be paid before you receive any inheritance.

Any situation surrounding death is never easy. However, hopefully, this has provided a little more clarity of how it may affect your pension.

If you have a pension you are concerned about, take time and arrange to speak with an expert who can discuss all options.

The rules and regulations surrounding how benefits are inherited can be tricky. It is best to discuss everything in simple English. 

Everyone’s situation and circumstances will be different. Look at your whole financial situation and how your pension will fit in.

Taxation can also be overwhelming. Take time and look at all possible options.

If anything is unclear, we would be happy to help.

You can use the live chat box, leave your information in the contact box, or give us a call.

Pension Support Line Team

Phone – 01 890 3518

Email – info@pensionsupportline.ie

This blog should be used for informational purposes only. It should not be regarded as financial advice.