Course Details

The changes to the inheritance tax treatment of unused pension funds from April 2027 present accountants with one of the biggest advisory opportunities in recent years. As business owners seek guidance on protecting their wealth, accountants who understand the wider planning options available will be better placed to deliver greater value, strengthen client relationships and differentiate their advisory services.


This session explores practical strategies that extend beyond traditional pension planning, including Small Self-Administered Schemes (SSAS), trusts, Family Investment Companies (FICs) and other tax-efficient family wealth structures. Delegates will gain practical insights to help them recognise planning opportunities, have more informed conversations with clients and identify where specialist collaboration can deliver better outcomes. By attending, accountants will be better equipped to protect their clients' wealth while enhancing the value and scope of their own advisory offering.


In this course Kevin Whelan covers the following topics:

  • The 2027 IHT rules that change pensions forever

Understand why bringing unused pension funds and death benefits into the estate from 6 April 2027 is a game‑changer for business owners and their families. How it creates urgent future planning opportunities for accountants.

  • SSAS vs SIPP: the group pension with unique IHT advantages 

Learn how a Small Self-Administered Scheme (SSAS) differs from a SIPP—its trust‑based, group structure allows spouses and adult children to join, enabling coordinated contributions, consolidated control, and estate planning flexibility not available in individual SIPPs.

  • Turn the pension into a business tool: tax relief, loans and property 

See how SSAS contributions can reduce corporation tax, how “loan‑back” arrangements can fund working capital, and how a SSAS can purchase business premises or other commercial property—shifting rent and gains inside the pension.

  • Practical IHT levers beyond pensions: trusts, FICs and gifting 

Get actionable steps: putting life policies in trust, using Family Investment Companies (FICs) to freeze growth and control assets, and structured gifting from surplus income (with record‑keeping that survives HMRC scrutiny).

  • High‑value add‑ons that more than cover your fees 

Discover how to expand your advisory offer with cash management strategies, family wealth pooling via SSAS, and tax‑efficient relevant life policies—creating visible, recurring value that justifies and grows your retainer.

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CPD Course Speaker

WealthBuilders Together Ltd

Kevin Whelan

Kevin Whelan is an economist, qualified Independent Financial Adviser, professional SSAS trustee and Founder of WealthBuilders, the UK's leading holistic wealth education company. With more than 30 years' experience working with business owners and their professional advisers, he is recognised as one of the UK's leading authorities on Small Self-Administered Schemes (SSAS), inheritance tax planning and long-term wealth and succession planning. Kevin's work sits at the intersection of pensions, business finance, and family wealth. His passion is helping business owners build, protect and transfer wealth through integrated, tax-efficient strategies that strengthen long-term financial security while preserving wealth for future generations. As the April 2027 changes to the inheritance tax treatment of unused pension funds approach, Kevin is helping accountants and business owners understand the practical planning opportunities available before the new rules take effect. His expertise spans SSAS, trusts, Family Investment Companies (FICs) and wider family wealth structures, equipping professional advisers with practical strategies to help clients reduce tax, retain control and create more resilient long-term wealth plans. Kevin is the author of three books on wealth creation and numerous practical guides for business owners. A sought-after speaker across the UK, he is known for translating complex tax, pension and wealth planning concepts into clear, practical guidance that accountants and business owners can confidently apply. His sessions focus on helping professional advisers, delivering greater value to clients, and identifying income opportunities or their services. His focus is to help advisers be informed and ahead of the game