What are the new pension rules?
There is now much greater flexibility in how you can draw money from your pension plan. You no longer have to buy an annuity when you retire and it is possible to take your entire pension out as cash. If you want the security of an annuity you can still purchase one and if you want more control over your finances you can drawdown your pension as and when you need it.
Pension benefits can generally be taken at age 55. The minimum pension age will increase to age 57 from 2028 and will then continue to be 10 years below the state pension age thereafter. In exceptional circumstances, benefits can be taken earlier for example if you are retiring on ill-health grounds or have a protected retirement age or have a special occupation such as sports, dancing, modelling or diving.
If you are over 55 (57 from 2028), there are now essentially four main options available to you:
- Continue to leave your pension invested
- Opt for a flexible income by drawing down your pension savings
- Opt for a guaranteed income using an Annuity
- Cash in part or all of your pot which may be subject to a considerable amount of tax
The great thing about the new retirement flexibility is that you can mix any or all of the above options both now and in the future.
Since April 2015 you have been able to access and use your pension pot in any way you wish after the age of 55 (57 from 2028). Normally you can take 25% of the fund as tax-free cash and then you will pay income tax at your marginal rate on anything withdrawn from your defined contribution pension. It is important to carefully plan as withdrawals spread over a number of years are likely to significantly reduce the tax you will pay.
There are now more options for pension death benefits on your money purchase pension plan. The Chancellor has reduced the tax from 55% to nil should you die before your 75th birthday. This only applies to drawdown pension funds that are paid after 6 April 2015 to an individual’s beneficiaries on death before 75 – a nil rate already applied where the funds had not been touched.
If you die aged over 75, then post April 2015 your beneficiaries will have the benefit they receive taxed at their marginal rate.
The above change makes pensions an important tax planning vehicle.
The importance of seeking professional advice
Eastcote Wealth Management has years’ experience in this area and can help you to access the options available to you and help you to maximise your pension on retirement. Please be careful with your hard-earned pension savings and think very carefully before cashing them in or moving them. If you’re offered a scheme which seems too-good-to-be-true, it probably is. For further information, see www.pensionsadvisoryservice.org.uk/pension-problems/making-a-complaint/common-concerns/pension-scams.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like to discuss your options in more detail. Remember, we offer a free no obligation consultation and will be happy to help if we can. We take a holistic and long-term approach to wealth management, opting to build a lasting relationship with you and provide a tailored solution for all of your investments.
A pension is a long-term investment. The fund value may fluctuate and can down. Your eventual income may depend upon the size of the fund at retirement, future interest rates and tax legislation. Occupational pension schemes are regulated by the pensions regulator.