Expression Of Wish
Ensuring your wishes are met, when it matters the most.
At Sapphire Financial Planning we can put together a plan for you, making your financial future, easier, less complicated and all backed by Our Commitment To You & Ongoing Advice.
An Expression of Wish is a document that lets you tell your pension provider or scheme administrator who you would like to receive your pension benefits in the event of your death. It’s not legally binding, but it provides clear guidance to the trustees when they are deciding where to pay your benefits.
You can typically nominate one or more people – such as your spouse, children, or other dependants – and state the percentage of your benefits you’d like each person to receive. You can also include organisations, like charities.
This form can usually be updated at any time and it’s good practice to review it regularly, especially if your circumstances change.
Without an up-to-date Expression of Wish in place, the trustees of your pension scheme will still aim to act in your beneficiaries’ best interests, but they may not be aware of your current preferences or personal relationships. This can lead to delays, uncertainty, and – in some cases – outcomes that don’t reflect your wishes.
An Expression of Wish helps to:
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Make the process of distributing your pension benefits smoother and faster.
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Provide guidance to the trustees, ensuring your loved ones are considered appropriately.
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Give you peace of mind that your pension benefits are more likely to go where you want them to.
Click on the questions to find our reply…
Download the expression of wish form
Please click on the following to download the relevant form – Download the Expression Of Wish
What happens if I don’t have an Expression of Wish?
If you haven’t completed an Expression of Wish, the trustees will decide who receives your pension benefits using their discretion. They’ll usually consider your next of kin and any dependants, but this could take time and might not reflect your true wishes. Having an Expression of Wish reduces this uncertainty.
Who can I nominate?
You can nominate anyone – your spouse or partner, children, other family members, friends, or even a charity. If your pension scheme allows it, you can also nominate a trust. It’s important to choose people or organisations who you would like to benefit in the event of your death.
Do I tick the lump sum or income box?
This depends on the options available within your specific pension plan.
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If you’re nominating someone who qualifies as a dependant, you might have the option for them to receive a pension income.
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If you’re nominating someone who isn’t a dependant, they may only be eligible to receive a lump sum.
Tick the option that matches how you’d prefer the benefit to be paid if that option is available – and we can guide you through what your specific plan allows.
Can I tick both?
Some pension providers will allow you to tick both boxes, especially if you’re unsure about the best option at the time. This gives the trustees flexibility to decide the most suitable method of payment depending on your circumstances at the time of your death. We can help check what your scheme permits.
What proportions can I use?
You can split your benefits in whatever proportions you choose, as long as they add up to 100%. For example, you might leave 50% to your partner, 25% to each of your children, or even smaller shares to charities. It’s entirely up to you. Just ensure the total allocation equals 100%.
What if I don’t return the completed form?
If you don’t return the completed Expression of Wish form, we may not be able to follow your preferences – even if you’ve told us verbally or sent it by email.
In the event of your death, the pension provider or scheme trustees will refer to the most recent Expression of Wish they have on file. If no form has been returned, they will have no official record of your wishes, which can result in delays, uncertainty, or benefits being paid to individuals you may not have intended.
To ensure your wishes are properly considered, it’s essential that we hold a signed and up-to-date Expression of Wish form on record at the time of your passing.
The Partner Practice is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products. The ‘St. James’s Place Partnership’ and the title ‘Partner Practice’ are marketing terms used to describe St. James’s Place representatives.
(SJP Approved 17/04/2025)