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abrdn (formerly Aberdeen Standard Investments, previously part of Standard Life Aberdeen) applies a threshold of approximately £36,000 for investment accounts. Below this, abrdn may release funds without requiring a grant of probate. Above £36,000, probate is required. Contact abrdn's bereavement team on 0345 279 1000 to confirm the position for the specific account.
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abrdn (pronounced “Aberdeen”) is a major UK and global investment company formed from the merger of Aberdeen Asset Management and Standard Life Investments. It is distinct from Phoenix Group (which owns Standard Life's insurance and pensions business). abrdn manages investment platforms, ISAs, SIPPs, and funds. As of 2026, abrdn applies a threshold of approximately £36,000 for investment accounts.
The rules by product type:
Note: If the deceased held a Standard Life pension (now administered by Phoenix Group), the relevant guide is our Standard Life probate threshold guide. For the broader context, see our probate threshold guide for 2026–27.
Our estate administration checklist can help you manage all document submissions across institutions.
Contacting abrdn is part of the wider task of notifying financial institutions after a death. The bereavement team will confirm what is needed and send a claims pack.
abrdn does not currently participate in the Death Notification Service (DNS). You must contact abrdn directly. The DNS primarily covers high-street banks and building societies; investment managers such as abrdn maintain their own bereavement processes.
abrdn does not participate in the Direct Payment Scheme (DPS). If inheritance tax is due on the estate, you will need separate funding to pay HMRC before probate is granted. See our guide on probate delays and IHT interest.
For accounts below the £36,000 threshold, abrdn typically releases funds within 4–6 weeks. For larger estates requiring probate, add 8–12 weeks to obtain the grant, plus 4–8 weeks for abrdn to process the claim. See the complete UK probate guide for 2026 for the full timeline.
The abrdn group has a complex history involving multiple mergers and rebranding exercises. The key distinctions for estate administration are:
If you are unsure which entity the deceased held an account with, look at the company name on any correspondence or policy documents. For help deciding how to administer the estate, see our DIY probate versus solicitor cost guide.
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