Frequently asked questions about gifts in Wills

There are a number of different types of gifts to choose from, but the two most common are known as Residuary Gifts and Pecuniary Gifts.

It’s important that you choose the type of legacy that works best for you and your circumstances. Please do take advice on this from your solicitor or financial advisor if you are unsure.

Residuary gift

This is a percentage of your estate* after all other gifts and expenses have been paid.  Many people choose to add a percentage of their estate to Pancreatic Cancer UK as this enables them to provide for loved ones first and the value does not diminish over time. Leaving 10% of your estate to charity can reduce your inheritance tax liability from 40% to 36% for your entire estate.

Pecuniary gift

This is a gift of a set amount of money from your estate*. It is paid before residuary gifts and is likely to decrease in value over time.

*everything owned by a person who has died is known as their estate.

Everything owned by a person who has died is known as their estate. The estate may be made up of:

• money, both cash and money in a bank or building society account
• money owed to the person who has died
• shares
• property, for example, their home
• personal possessions, for example, their car or jewellery.

If the person who died owes money to other people, for example, on a credit card, this comes out of the estate.

We recommend that you speak to a solicitor who will advise you and help with the wording of your gift.

You will need to give your solicitor our registered address and charity numbers and they will do the rest.

Pancreatic Cancer UK, 4th Floor Queen Elizabeth House, 4 St Dunstan’s Hill, London, EC3R 8AD

A registered charity in England and Wales (No. 1112708) and in Scotland (SC046392).

If you prefer, you can take the following wording to your solicitor. They will make sure your Will is valid and that your wishes are followed.

Residuary Gift

“Subject to the payment of my debts, funeral and testamentary expenses, I leave the whole (residuary) or ______% of my estate not otherwise disposed of by this my Will to Pancreatic Cancer UK of 4th Floor Queen Elizabeth House, 4 St Dunstan’s Hill, London, EC3R 8AD. A registered charity in England and Wales (No. 1112708) and in Scotland (SC046392).

Pecuniary Gift

‘I Leave _____ to Pancreatic Cancer UK of 4th Floor Queen Elizabeth House, 4 St Dunstan’s Hill, London, EC3R 8AD. A registered charity in England and Wales (No. 1112708) and in Scotland (SC046392).

You can use one of our free Will writing services to write a new Will. You can write your Will for free in 30 minutes or less with Farewill. Or you can write your Will in person with a solicitor through the National Free Wills Network.

You can find more information here.

Thank you so much for making the decision to leave such a special gift. Your gift will help us to continue being there for everyone affected by pancreatic cancer and continue our ground-breaking research into early diagnosis and treatments.

You don’t have to tell us that you’ve left a gift in your Will. But letting us know helps us plan our future investments, and we’d love to be able to thank you!

You can let us know by filling in our simple form.

Any gifts left to charities, including Pancreatic Cancer UK, may reduce, or even eliminate your inheritance tax liability. Gifts to charities are 100% tax free.

Leaving 10% or more of your net estate to charities will reduce inheritance tax on the remainder of your estate from 40% to 36%.

Please be aware that these rates may be subject to change and inheritance tax is a complex and often changing area of law. We do advise speaking with a professional, or visit the HMRC website to find out more.

You can find frequently asked questions about our free Will service here.

We hope this gives you all the information you need, but if that’s not the case please do get in touch, we’d love to hear from you.