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Try it nowFree will writing initiative continues in 2023
Free Wills Month is back this month offering those aged 55 and over the opportunity to have a will drafted or updated free of charge.
For most people writing a will is certainly not something they think of day in and day out so initiatives like this really help to bring this important topic to the forefront of people’s minds and to strike an action. So, why not jump at the opportunity and have a simple will drafted for free this March by a volunteer solicitor?
Hundreds of solicitors are getting involved with the campaign led by a group of charities. Visit https://freewillsmonth.org.uk and type in your postcode to find out the solicitors who are taking part in your local area. You can book an appointment directly through the website with a solicitor of your choice.
By getting involved with the initiative, you’re not only benefitting from having a free will professionally written for you, you are also supporting the initiative run by charitable organisations like the Samaritans, The Salvation Army, Lifeboats, the British Hearth Foundation and more.
Check out their website for more information and to register to be sent a reminder prior to the start of every Free Wills Month, taking place twice a year – in March and in October.
Remember, as well as completing a will, you should separately update your Expression of Wish to say where you’d like any payments from your pension to go if you die before you claim them. This cannot be covered in your will.
To complete your Expression of Wish, download and complete the ‘Expression of Wish form stating the person (people, or organisation) you wish to benefit.
Matt Riley
Manager
Matt joined Zedra Governance Limited (formerly PTL) in January 2008 having previously worked for Mercer Limited, Hazell Carr and Prudential.
As a Manager for the company's Birmingham Office, Matt’s responsibilities include working closely with Client Directors and individually liaising with Employers, Trustees and Members to ensure the smooth running of their pension schemes. Matt’s current portfolio of clients covers ongoing, paid-up and winding-up schemes. In addition, Matt has experience of schemes that have transferred or are in the process of transferring to the Pension Protection Fund and Financial Assistance Scheme. Matt also works closely with clients in relation to risk registers and internal controls.
Matt particularly enjoys resolving issues in a fair and pragmatic way ensuring that the right result is reached for the member or employer.
Sam Burden
Client Director
Sam Burden joined Zedra Governance (formerly PTL) in 2022. He is an Accredited Professional Pension Trustee (AMAPPT) and an Associate of the Pensions Management Institute (APMI)
Sam has more than 25 years’ experience in the pensions industry gained with WTW, KPMG, and Standard Life working with a wide range of pension schemes and sponsoring employers. His trustee appointments include DB, DC and hybrid pension schemes and he has experience of handling a broad range of projects relating to the management of pension schemes.
Beyond his pensions experience Sam is a former Birmingham City Councillor where he chaired the audit committee and a current charity trustee.
Payam Kazemian
Client Director
Payam Kazemian joined Zedra Governance Limited (formerly PTL Governance Limited) in 2021. He is an Accredited Professional Pension Trustee (AMAPPT) and an Associate of the Pensions Management Institute (APMI).
Payam has more than 17 years of experience in the pensions industry. Through his current role as a professional trustee, as well as previously as a pension’s de-risking and investment structuring expert at financial institutions including Goldman Sachs and Deutsche Bank, he has had overall responsibility for creating investment, de-risking, journey planning, and governance solutions for a wide range of UK DB pension schemes. He currently holds a number of board positions (as Chair of Trustees) and sole trustee in his professional trustee capacity. Payam has been involved with a number of pensions projects including pensions buy-in, pensions buy-out, GMP equalisation, investment strategy reviews, and dialogue with the pensions regulator. Payam looks to create and believes in a collaborative relationship between the sponsor, the trustee, and all other parties involved as this results in best member outcomes and helps deliver pragmatic solutions for scheme. Aside from his pensions experience, Payam holds a Ph.D. in Materials Science from the University of Cambridge.
