This project investigates the redistribution and insurance accomplished by the UK tax and benefit system across the lifecycle. A key distinction is between an ex ante perspective (before uncertain future outcomes have been realised) and an ex post perspective (after uncertainty has been resolved). Correspondingly, the project involves two themes: theme I will investigate redistribution from an ex post perspective, while theme II will study redistribution and insurance from an ex ante perspective. Both themes will rely on constructing lifetime income and family profiles either derived directly from panel data or based on estimated model simulations. These will then form the basis for modelling the tax and benefit entitlements and analysing the degree of ex-post redistribution (theme I) and separating ex ante insurance and redistribution (theme II). These are important issues of real policy relevance, improving our understanding of the roles of the tax and benefit system, informing analysis of budget changes and contributing to the design of more radical policy reforms.