The little-known inheritance tax break that could help retirees cut their bill

Retirees seeking to minimise their inheritance tax liability may find an unexpected solution in retirement communities that offer deferred payment arrangements, according to tax specialists.

Figures from Savills reveal that older homeowners in Britain currently possess £2.95trillion in property wealth, a sum that will increasingly attract the attention of HMRC.

The urgency around estate planning is set to intensify from 2027, when pension pots will be brought within the scope of inheritance tax for the first time.

By opting to defer management fees rather than paying them immediately, residents can effectively reduce the taxable value of their estate, since these outstanding charges are not counted among their assets upon death.

The mechanics of this arrangement are straightforward. Integrated retirement communities, sometimes called housing-with-care schemes, provide self-contained properties with round-the-clock staff, communal dining facilities, and optional care services.

While fees are typically settled at the outset, those who choose deferral only pay when the property is eventually sold.

Consider a property worth £400,000 with a 20 per cent deferred charge: the estate would be valued at just £320,000, potentially bringing it beneath the inheritance tax threshold.

Chris Etherington, tax partner at RSM UK, explained that outstanding liabilities at death can generally be offset against other estate assets.

"It may not be appropriate for everyone but for some, it could mean they have more to spend during their lifetime and can offset the costs against other assets which might otherwise be taxable at up to 40 per cent," he said.

One resident at the Riverstone retirement community, who preferred to remain anonymous, relocated there with his wife three years ago when he was just 61.

"When my wife said to me, she had found this retirement community, I said to her, 'Are you mad? I am 61 years old,'" he recalled. "She dragged me down to [view the community], and I felt I needed to tick all the finance boxes. I spent quite a bit of time doing my own due diligence."

The inheritance tax advantage proved to be a "big tick" in his assessment of the financial case.

For a £1million apartment, he explained, he only needed to provide £650,000 from his own resources, with the deferred portion meaning his estate would ultimately reflect only his equity stake.

Beyond the tax benefits, the couple discovered an unexpected bonus: a thriving social life and numerous new friendships.

Despite the potential advantages, experts urge caution before committing to such arrangements.

ARCO, the sector's main representative body, stressed that prospective buyers should verify their chosen community holds ARCO approval and fully understand what the deferred fees cover.

"Family members or children should also understand the deferred management fee arrangement so that they are not surprised by it after someone has passed away," a spokesperson warned.

Nimesh Shah, chief executive at Blick Rothenberg, advised checking whether paying fees upfront might actually prove cheaper, since providers often build in a premium for deferred arrangements.

He also cautioned against letting tax considerations drive the decision.

"Don't let a perceived tax benefit become a carrot to enter into these arrangements," Mr Shah said.

"The main point here is to calculate the value of your estate if your estate is below the inheritance tax nil rate band, then you don't have to pay inheritance tax."