Trustee Amendment Act 2025

What this bill does

This bill changes the rules about how trustees (people who manage money and property for others) can make investment decisions. It allows trustees to consider the personal wishes of beneficiaries and trust creators when choosing investments, including their views on environmental and social issues.

If passed (voted YES)

• Trustees will be able to factor in beneficiaries' preferences about environmental, social, and governance issues when making investment choices
• Trust creators and beneficiaries can have more influence over how their money is invested, such as avoiding companies that harm the environment
• Investment decisions can legally consider broader impacts on Bermuda society and overseas communities, not just financial returns

If rejected (voted NO)

• Trustees must continue following current investment rules without explicit permission to consider beneficiaries' environmental or social preferences
• Investment decisions will remain focused primarily on financial factors rather than personal values or social impact
• The law won't specifically recognize beneficiaries' wishes about ethical or sustainable investing

Who it affects

This primarily affects trustees, beneficiaries of trusts, and people who create trusts in Bermuda. Given Bermuda's role as an international financial center, this could impact many international families and businesses that use Bermuda trusts.