Family Pension Trust - Alltrust Services

Family Pension Trust - FPT

Alltrust Family Pension Trust - FPT

The Family Pension Trust (FPT) is a specialised group Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) designed for families or small groups such as business partners. The FPT offers a flexible approach to retirement planning, allowing multiple members to pool their pension resources while maintaining individual control over their investments.

What is a Family Pension Trust?

A family pension trust is a type of trust that is specifically designed to hold and manage pension assets for the benefit of a family. It is a legal arrangement that allows individuals to transfer their pension funds into a trust, which is then managed by trustees on behalf of the beneficiaries.

The primary purpose of a family pension trust is to provide a secure and tax-efficient way to pass on pension assets to future generations. By placing pension funds into a trust, the assets are protected from potential creditors, lawsuits, and other financial risks that could otherwise deplete the funds.

How Does a Family Pension Trust (FPT) Work?

When an individual establishes a family pension trust, they typically transfer their pension assets, such as retirement accounts or annuities, into the trust. The trust is then managed by one or more trustees, who are responsible for investing and distributing the assets according to the terms of the trust agreement.

The trust agreement outlines the rules and guidelines for how the pension assets should be managed and distributed. It specifies the beneficiaries of the trust, which can include the individual’s spouse, children, grandchildren, or other family members. The agreement also defines the conditions under which the beneficiaries can receive distributions from the trust, such as reaching a certain age or meeting specific financial needs.

Key Features

Flexibility in Investments: Members can choose from a wide range of investment options, tailoring their portfolios to meet specific financial goals.
Collective Investment Benefits: By pooling resources, members can benefit from collective investment opportunities and potentially lower costs.
Tax Efficiency: Contributions receive tax relief at the member’s marginal rate, and the fund grows free from income and capital gains taxes.
Customisable Retirement Benefits: Offers flexibility in how and when to draw retirement benefits, including tax-free lump sums and adjustable income streams.
Death Benefits: Provides options to pass on benefits to financial dependants and beneficiaries, ensuring family financial security.

Aims

The FPT aims to:

Ensure financial security for dependants through inheritance planning.
Facilitate tax-efficient retirement savings.
Provide a broad range of investment options within the bounds of legislation and best practices.
Offer flexible retirement income options and the possibility of annuity purchase.
Adapt to changing needs and circumstances both before and after retirement.

Committment

Participants in the FPT are not obligated to make regular contributions, offering flexibility to start or stop contributions as needed. As a long-term investment, benefits are typically accessible from age 55, subject to current legislation. Administrative fees apply and are usually deducted from the fund.