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Aviva is one of the UK's largest insurance and pension providers. It offers workplace pensions, personal pensions, and SIPPs to millions of customers. When an Aviva pension holder dies, the fund value can be paid to a nominated beneficiary or eligible dependant. These funds fall outside the estate and do not normally require probate.
In most cases, no. Aviva pension funds are held in a discretionary trust, so they fall outside the deceased's estate. Aviva can pay the death benefit directly to the nominated beneficiary without a Grant of Probate.
If there is no nomination and Aviva cannot identify a suitable beneficiary, the fund may be paid to the estate. In that case, probate may be required before the money is distributed. Our guide on the probate threshold explains when probate is triggered.
The death benefit is the full value of the pension fund at the date of death. For defined contribution pensions, this is the current market value of the investments within the policy. Aviva typically offers beneficiaries several options:
The options available depend on the specific Aviva product and the beneficiary's circumstances. Aviva's bereavement team will explain what is available when you make contact.
Aviva has a dedicated bereavement support service and aims to process claims promptly. If you experience any delays, you can escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
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Aviva pension holders are asked to complete an expression of wishes form. This tells Aviva who the member would like to receive the fund on their death. The trustees consider this nomination carefully but retain discretion — they are not legally required to follow it. This discretionary structure is what keeps the fund outside the estate for IHT purposes.
In practice, Aviva almost always pays to the nominated beneficiary where a valid, current nomination exists. Members should review and update their expression of wishes regularly, especially after marriage, divorce, or having children.
See GOV.UK for the latest guidance on tax on pension death benefits.
Currently, Aviva pension funds fall outside the estate and are not subject to inheritance tax. From 6 April 2027, proposed government changes will bring unspent pension funds within the scope of IHT. This means the Aviva pension fund value at death may be included when calculating the estate for IHT purposes.
Read our guide to pensions and inheritance tax from April 2027 and the current IHT rules.
If no expression of wishes is registered with Aviva, their trustees will exercise discretion. They will typically consider whether there is a surviving spouse, civil partner, or financially dependent person. If no suitable beneficiary is identified, the fund may be paid to the estate, which then becomes subject to the probate and estate administration process.
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