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Both Norwich Union and Norwich Union International are launching a new discretionary trust proposition, a series of estate and inheritance tax (IHT) planning guides and a simplified application process.

The changes mean that existing 'flexible' trusts will be replaced by discretionary trusts which can accept multiple asset types, including collective investments and cash.

In addition, Norwich Union will offer extensive marketing support, which includes a customer guide to IHT planning and an IFA reference guide to trusts and estate planning.

Furthermore, the campaign will include new simplified deeds and applications to help make creating IHT-effective trusts easier and quicker.

Nicholas Burton, marketing manager at Norwich Union, said: "Primary research conducted by Norwich Union shows that many advisers find the complexities of estate and trust planning act as a barrier to advising customers and the complexity puts customers off taking the necessary steps to protect their wealth."

Burton added: "Effective trusts and estate planning do not need to be complicated and there are simple ways for advisers to help customers save tax and leave more money to their loved ones.

"Inheritance tax continues to affect thousands of people every year but with some simple planning there is a great deal that advisers can do to reduce their clients' IHT liability."