Estate planning has always been a blend of tax rules, family dynamics and adviser judgement. It is one of those areas where advisers often say, “it depends”, because the picture can shift quickly. This year, it feels like the picture is shifting faster than ever.
Upcoming changes to pensions, BR and APR reliefs, rule caps, and the impact of compounding on client estates over time are creating a new kind of challenge. Complexity is rising, planning windows are narrowing, and advisers are being asked bigger questions about intergenerational wealth.
The silver lining is that tech in our space is finally catching up. Tools that would have seemed ambitious not long ago can now model what really matters for clients, including long term estate projections and rule based triggers.
This month, I want to spotlight two things. First, the launch of a new IHT calculator created by TIME Investments. Second, a quick roundup of the latest adviser tech updates that caught our eye.
Let’s get into it.
A new IHT calculator that brings clarity to the chaos
TIME Investments have released a new IHT calculator that several of you have already asked about. You can try it here:
It takes a client’s current estate and projects their future IHT position year by year up to 2040. It also builds in the upcoming rule changes across BR, APR and pensions. For advisers working with clients who are unsure how these moving parts interact, this kind of forward view can be invaluable.
Here are the client situations where this tool becomes particularly helpful:
- Clients with AIM BR investments, where BR drops to 50 percent in April 2026.
- Clients considering AIM BR for the first time. Even reduced relief can still drive meaningful impact.
- Households with TIME Advance or similar BR solutions, particularly where more than one million of BR may be invested.
- Clients relying on pension assets as part of estate planning, because pensions will start to be included in the estate from April 2027.
- Business or farm owners facing BR and APR relief caps from April 2026.
- Property heavy clients where house value growth drives long term IHT exposure.
- Blended estates involving pensions, BR assets, AIM shares, investments and cash.
- Families delaying decisions and needing a clear view of the cost of waiting.
For advisers, it has five practical benefits.
- It simplifies complexity.
- It saves time by producing a clean, downloadable client report.
- It boosts client engagement in estate planning conversations.
- It highlights planning opportunities at the right time.
- It supports compliance with a transparent advice record.
With IHT receipts now at a record high of £7.5 billion, anything that helps clients understand their future position without overwhelming them is a welcome addition to the toolkit.
A quick look at what else is happening in adviser tech
The last month has been busy. Several providers have released updates worth keeping on your radar.
Quilter’s WealthSelect on Transact
This update strengthens the available MPS options on Transact and may help streamline discussions for advisers who want platform consistency without sacrificing choice.
ebi launches a fund of funds range
This addition will appeal to firms looking for simplified portfolio structures that still feel evidence based. Source:
ebi Portfolios launches Fund of Funds range
Dynamic Planner achieves an industry first
Dynamic Planner has earned AI certification, something that will reassure firms who want to use AI guided tools in a compliant, transparent way. Source:
Dynamic Planner achieves industry first AI certification
AdviserSoftware’s new comparison tool
This tool allows advisers to compare AI solutions with more clarity, something many firms have asked for as the market gets crowded. Source:
AdviserSoftware.com launches AI comparison tool for advisers
AJ Bell’s suite of adviser tools
AJ Bell has expanded its adviser toolkit, giving more options for cash flow, modelling and portfolio planning tasks. Source:
AJ Bell unveils suite of adviser tools
These updates point to a trend I think we will see more of. Adviser tech is no longer just about creating efficiencies, it is becoming a way to understand complexity and explain it simply.
That is exactly what clients value.
Looking ahead
The more rules shift, the more advisers will lean on tools that bring clarity without adding noise. What matters is not high tech for the sake of it, but tech that helps clients make informed decisions with confidence.
If this resonates with what you are seeing, I would love to hear from you.
