HMRC have published their latest newsletter for administrators of pension schemes.
On 29 October 2026, HMRC published their Pension Schemes Newsletter which updates pension scheme administrators on the latest news for pension schemes. Therefore, this is not always of direct relevance to bookkeepers, however, ICB covers the topics for your information:
- The first section details the pension announcements from UK Budget 2026 that will be in Finance Bill 2026/27;
- The second section also covers the publication of the second Inheritance Tax on pensions — Technical Note. This provides further information on the Inheritance Tax treatment of pensions legislated for in Finance Act 2026;
- The third section advises that HMRC’s Digitalisation of Relief at Source (DigiRAS) strategic payments service had intended to go live in 2026 indeed, the June 2026 Newsletter advised this (delayed from ‘Summer 2026’ to ‘later in 2026’). October’s Newsletter advises that this is delated until 2027 and will apply from tax year 2027/28;
- The Newsletter also advises that HMRC a new online tool to help individuals check if they are entitled and claim pension tax refunds; and
- The last sections detail how administrators should contact HMRC as well as providing statistics on pension flexibility and pension scheme registration
For Bookkeepers
The October 2026 Newsletter is certainly for pension scheme administrators and, perhaps, most interesting is the continued digitalisation delay which they may have been expecting. As always, though, ICB covers the content for members.