HMRC’s Pension Scheme Newsletter July 2026

HMRC have published their latest newsletter for administrators of pension schemes. This is not intended for administrators of payrolls with pension schemes. We relay the contents for your information.

On 31 July 2026, HMRC published their Pension Schemes Newsletter.  This updates pension scheme administrators on the latest news for pension schemes.  Therefore, it is not always of direct relevance to bookkeepers.  This month’s Newsletter covers the following topics: 

• Defined benefit pension scheme surplus payments to members – this concerns the publication of draft legislation which will allow, from April 2027, defined benefit occupational pension schemes to make payments to members when the scheme is in surplus;
• Relief at source annual return of information and APSS590 declaration – this says that the deadline for submitting 2025/26 returns has passed, yet HMRC are aware there are some pension scheme administrators making Relief at Source (RAS) claims for tax year 2026/27.  These will not be paid until the 2025/26 return is submitted in  the correct format;
• Changes to how you contact HMRC – this says that pension scheme administrators must use HMRC’s interactive tool when contacting them rather than the E-Mail which was sent to pension.schemes@hmrc.gov.uk.  E-Mails sent to this address from 20 July 2026 onwards will not receive a reply but will receive an automated response;
• Inheritance Tax on pensions – this section concerns legislation and administration changes to apply from April 2027 when Inheritance Tax reforms come into force;
• Closure of the Pension schemes online service - The Pension schemes online service will close from April 2027 which means that all open pension schemes must migrate to the Managing pension schemes service by 31 December 2026;
• Pension flexibility statistics – this provides pension flexibility payment statistics for the quarter to 30 June 2026; and
• Delay to publication of qualifying recognised overseas pension schemes transfer statistics – which, simply, says that the usual July publication has been delayed

For Bookkeepers

As we have outlined, this newsletter is for administrators of pension schemes, not administrators of pension contributions.  The coverage of the contents of this newsletter are for information purposes only.