Over the IHT threshold? Reduce it down - or do nothing?

So if it's a choice between a) doing nothing and almost certainly having your estate be liable to IHT or b) to start spending the surplus over the threshold and /or gifting in one way or another - which do people opt for? A or B.
To pay the tax or to try to spend/gift to avoid the tax?

The equation you need to make is, given that if you do need residential care you will still be receiving your pensions, how much are you likely to need to top that income up to pay for your care? The value of your house will also matter, because if it has to be sold to help pay for your care then any surplus will be subject to IHT. There’s no purpose in having savings on top of the house value that you are never going to need.
The advice Martin Lewis gives is very sensible I think.

No I have no disabilities and there is no money available to me. I found this out already.
The option I have is to wait until I'm decrepit and get some help, or cough the money up myself which will take half my savings.
Still not sure if I should be bothered...but thanks for your response.

*of the posters

I am not suggesting any if the posters are confused about IHT but I have found when that when it has been discussed by friends there is an unawareness about spousal allowance transfer and also the increase if property is given / willed to children. These can increase the threshold substantially in the correct circumstances.

We make regular donations out of our of income to charities and I like to be generous to my two children and grandchildren. My younger daughter is quite well off so I tend to suggest little holidays and trips that we can do together and I pay. It means we have lovely times together whereas my older daughter prefers the cash! I don't know if there will be IHT to pay when we die but if there is, I don't have a problem with that. It's like paying tax, you have got to earn it to pay it and I think we'll have looked after our family pretty well over the years.

I’m in that position. My entire estate is willed to a variety of good causes - should there be anything left if I have to pay for an extended period of care.

In my lifetime, I will have a paid a substantial amount of direct and indirect taxes. I don’t have any control over how my taxes are spent so dying will be my opportunity to make sure my money goes to the causes that I care about, ones that receive no government support. Meantime, I make regular donations out of income.

What makes you think that the money paid in IHT will not be put to good use?

keepingquiet do you need your bathroom altering for health reasons if so get in touch with your local council as they may have grants that you can have. Also if you need it on health grounds as long as your have a tradesman fit it you can get the VAT back on fittings that's toilet,hand basin and tap and shower cubicle or bath . I paid to have my new shower room . I had an ease toilet which looks like ordinary loo but taller ,large rectangular shower and cubicle new shower,hand basin inset into cupboard at waist hight ,hand on the walk by the loo and handle in shower cubicle. I got £550 back. Didn't get VAT back. on my shower chair as it wasn't from the same company .

If you get in touch with occupational therapy then you could have your bathroom altered by the council but you have to have what they fit. They will be a waiting list.

I paid for mine as I knew what I needed for health reasons. But the home improvements team who did it sent me to trade places and I had their discount saved £3,000 on my shower room and the same ofgb when they did my kitchen.

I know this is off track of OP but you mentioned bathroom and money . Hope it's of some help. I own my bungalow out right. Don't get my state pension until end of April .

IF I had adequate savings, not up to IHT level I must add, I would definitely be using it on private healthcare and help in the house and garden.
No waiting for years on NHS waiting lists.
Money earned by hard work and saving through the years should be spent looking after oneself.
This may not correctly answer the OP but I am never going to be in a position where I have to think of sums of money exceeding £1million.

We recently went on holiday, an 8 hour flight, and flew business class. First time we have done so.

The difference! Shall spend some of our savings on doing the same in future. What the hell!

It is good to read from someone who seems to have made the right financial decisions in life, or at least to have been very fortunate but not to have squandered what they have.
I own my home outright, have modest savings but find I am struggling on my state and work based pension which I have only just started claiming.
I really want to have my bathroom updated and could use my savings for this but like you, I fear that once they are gone there will be nothing left for a 'rainy' day.
You sum up the quandary well- none of us can predict if we may need savings to pay for future care, or whether we will die tomorrow and leave our kids with a lot of responsibility on their shoulders.
For me I have worked fifty years of my life, have always paid tax and still do. It doesn't bother me a jot because I am a user of the services my tax goes to pay for, or maybe, or know people who are, and I do believe we live in a welfare state where we all make a contribution for the good of society.
So my perspective is this:
I need those savings I have and will leave them where they are
I will try to pare back my spending so that I am able to treat myself now and again to a holiday.
I will carry on giving to charities through my bank because I know there are so many people so much worse off than I am.
I think you should maybe head for a middle way- do a little of all the things you mentioned, especially spending some on yourself!