AJ Bell Investcentre has expanded its estate planning range with the launch of two new trusts amid rising demand for inheritance tax (IHT) advice.
A discretionary gift trust and an absolute gift trust are now available to advisers, with a discretionary loan trust set to follow.
The platform developed the new trust deeds in partnership with Technical Connection, aiming to give advisers flexible, open-architecture options as more families fall within the IHT net.
The move comes as advisers report a significant increase in client questions on estate planning driven by frozen tax thresholds, rising asset values and recent government plans to apply IHT to unused pension funds from April 2027.
Research from AJ Bell and Ad Lucem highlights the growing importance of IHT planning within the advice process.
According to the survey, 63% of advisers view IHT and estate planning as important or critical to their proposition, and four in five advised clients expect IHT support as part of their advice.
Three-quarters of advisers said they would welcome access to open-architecture investing through a range of trusts backed by full provider support.
The new trusts can be used with general investment accounts via the AJ Bell Investcentre platform, allowing advisers to combine trust planning with a wide choice of underlying investments.
The firm will also introduce a discretionary loan trust and expand GIA access through an onshore bond, with the aim of broadening its suite of tax-efficient structures.
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Mark Rendle, AJ Bell’s advised product director, said the latest developments reflect the mounting need for clear guidance amid a shifting tax landscape.
“In the wake of another Budget set to unleash yet more uncertainty for people’s finances, the need for robust advice on estate planning and tax management has never been greater,” he said.
Rendle added that intergenerational wealth transfer remains “devilishly complex”, and the new trusts are designed to give advisers more ways to protect client wealth.
“This further demonstrates that we are committed to ensuring advisers have the tools they need to make the secure management of their clients’ portfolios as easy and tax efficient as possible,” he said.
Ad Lucem CEO Phillip Wickenden said IHT is no longer a concern limited to the very wealthy, with rule changes drawing more mainstream households into scope.
Both advisers and clients, he added, are increasingly open to modern trust structures that can accommodate a wide range of investments.
Technical Connection managing director Tony Wickenden said the launch responds directly to adviser needs.
“Advisers aren’t short of intent – they’re short of time and the right support,” he said, noting demand for trust ranges compatible with mainstream GIAs and backed by robust technical guidance.
