28 October 2026
If you are covering the confirmation of changes to the definition of terminal illness to make it easier for terminally ill individuals to access their pensions savings, announced in the budget (6.242), please find comments from Jon Greer, head of retirement policy at Quilter:
“The government’s decision to change the definition of terminal illness to make pension savings easier to access is welcome. Allowing overseas registered medical practitioners to provide evidence should also remove a potential obstacle for people receiving care abroad. At an already difficult time, accessing your own savings should not mean navigating unnecessary administrative barriers.
“Prognoses are inherently uncertain. The revised definition needs to recognise that uncertainty and give patients, medical practitioners and pension providers a clear, workable test. The announcement does not yet specify the new wording or confirm whether it will align with the test used for DWP benefits, so the detail will be important.
“These changes will be introduced through Finance Bill 2026–27, but the announcement does not specify when the revised access rules will take effect. Providers will need clear guidance on acceptable medical evidence, including evidence from overseas practitioners, so the change works consistently in practice.
“This is a positive step towards a more workable system, while retaining safeguards around early pension access. People facing a terminal diagnosis need clarity and timely support. The rules should reduce uncertainty, not add to it.”
