IX Forum: The Day the Penny Dropped for Trustees

IX Forum: The Day the Penny Dropped for Trustees Pensions

Bristol, June 2025

We’ve been to a lot of events, but this one felt different. At IX Forum in Bristol, it was clear that trustees are waking up to just how much is changing, and how little their current providers are telling them. Retirement Capital was invited to speak, and what followed was a packed room, serious questions, and more than a few eyebrows raised.

A huge thank you to organisers Mark Plumley and Anil Cardiff for putting on a proper working event,and to Gianpaolo Parodi of Broom Consultants, whose talk on IFAs who actually understand pensions was a welcome dose of honesty.

What we covered, and why it landed hard

1. The 2025 HMRC reporting overhaul is not optional

SSAS members are now subject to a completely different reporting framework. This isn’t a tweak,it’s a structural shift. Trustees must now report through a new HMRC system, deal with tougher deadlines and provide deeper levels of detail, including data on assets, loans, and valuations.Most in the room hadn’t been told this. Some hadn’t even been migrated to the new system. Onedelegate summed it up best: “Why hasn’t my provider mentioned any of this?”

2. IHT is coming for pensions in 2027

From April 2027, most unused pensions, including SSAS, will be brought into the member’s estate forinheritance tax. That means trustees will be expected to value, report and potentially settle IHT.Fast. It’s not just a tax issue. It’s an operational and legal one, and many SSAS members simply won’t be ready. We talked through real-world implications, and what proactive planning looks like.

3. Technology is no longer a nice-to-have

We showcased our latest client app, developed in-house and paired with AI support to make scheme reporting smarter, faster and more accurate. No more wondering what’s going on inside your SSAS. No more chasing for valuations. Just live visibility, audit trail access, and peace of mind, all in your pocket. The feedback? “This makes every other provider look like they’re standing still.” What we saw in the room. There was real energy, and real concern. Attendees were experienced, switched-on trustees and professionals. But the level of surprise in the room was telling. It’s not that people don’t want to be compliant. It’s that many providers simply aren’t equipping them with the knowledge or tools to keep up. We had conversations with trustees from five different firms who were actively rethinking their current setup before they even left the room.

If you weren’t in the room, read this twice. These rule changes are live now. The IHT shift is locked in. And the days of running your SSAS on good intentions and guesswork are over.

We’re holding a follow-up webinar next month to go deeper into the technical changes, and we’ve made a PDF of the slides available for those who want to see what’s coming.

But if you’re reading this and wondering whether your provider has said anything, or worse, hoping they haven’t missed something, that’s your answer. What to do next Book a call

We’ll talk you through what’s changed, what it means for your scheme, and whether you’re in the right place. Request the slides We’ll send the full PDF of our session, no fluff, just clarity.

Join the webinar Dates released soon. Ask questions, get answers, and see how RC is leading the way. The clients we work with aren’t guessing. They’re planning.If your SSAS feels like a burden instead of a benefit… a risk instead of an asset, maybe it’s time we had a conversation.sSSAS

Related Blogs

Maximising the Investment Potential of SSAS: Diversifying Your Portfolio

Maximising the Investment Potential of SSAS: Diversifying Your Portfolio Introduction As a business owner, one of your main financial goals is to ensure that your wealth grows over time, helping you...

SSAS for Legacy Planning: How to Protect and Pass on Your Wealth

SSAS for Legacy Planning: how to protect and Pass on your Wealth Introduction When it comes to securing the financial future of your family or business, effective legacy planning is key. However, many...

Unlocking Wealth: Navigating Small Self-Administered Schemes (SSAS) Pension Schemes, Rules, and Property Investment Strategies

Add Your Heading Text Here When it comes to taking charge of your financial future, understanding the nuances of pension schemes is paramount. Small Self-Administered Schemes (SSAS) are not just any...

Case Study: Leveraging SSAS for Family Legacy Wealth

Add Your Heading Text Here Ride-hailing platform Uber has been fined €290 million — around $324 million at current exchanges rates — by the Netherlands’ privacy watchdog for breaching the European...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *