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A guide to tax and your pension

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Editorial Team

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At a glance

  • Pensions differ from other investment vehicles, like savings and investments, in that you can take up to 25% of your pension fund tax-free
  • How this is taxed depends on how your pension is withdrawn
  • This includes income from the state pension which is included in the tax calculation.

If you’re approaching retirement or over the age of 55 (rising to 57 from 2028), you'll need to know how tax works on your pension. From a defined contribution (DC) to state pensions, we've listed the essential facts you'll need to know. 

How much tax do you pay on pensions?

It’s important to remember that any money you take from your pension is classed as taxable income, regardless of how you access your funds.

But pensions do differ from other investment vehicles, like savings and investments, in that up to 25% of your pension fund is payable tax-free. How this is applied to your withdrawals will ultimately depend on whether your pot is crystallised or uncrystallised.

So, before we get into the nuances of how your pension is taxed, let’s look at these terms in more detail.

Crystallised funds

You’ll have a crystallised pension if you decide to either take your entire 25% tax-free benefit in one lump sum, purchase an annuity, or opt for an income drawdown.

If you opt for this type of withdrawal, you’ll typically withdraw up to 25% of your pot tax-free in one go. This tax free cash amount is limited to £268,275. This is known as the pension commencement lump sum and leaves the remainder of your pot liable for income tax at the point of withdrawal. 

To get an overview of the income tax brackets click here.  

Other forms of tax could come into play in retirement, too. Find out more about capital gains tax and inheritance tax by reading our guides.

How is my annuity taxed?

Before you set up an annuity, it sometimes makes sense to make use of the pension commencement lump sum.

This is because the 25% tax-free amount is taken before the annuity is set up so all income is directly liable for income tax.

Evaluating if this is right for you will depend on several factors, such as the size of your pension pot, your quoted annuities, and how much you can expect to earn from the tax-free percentage of your pension if it’s reinvested.

All these variables can be discussed with your independent financial adviser.

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Uncrystallised funds

An uncrystallised pension is when you haven’t set aside money for income drawdown or an annuity. You can access your cash direct from your pension pot and any such payments are known as Uncrystallised Funds Pensions Lump Sums (UFPLS).

This differs to a crystalised pension in how your withdrawals are taxed. Under a UFPLS, 25% of each withdrawal is tax-free while the rest is liable for income tax. This is what differentiates a UFPLS from an income withdrawal.

With an income withdrawal you’ll typically take your entire 25% tax-free portion out in one go, with the remaining drawdown subject to income tax. The tax free amount is capped at £268,275.

My first pension withdrawal has been overtaxed

HMRC uses the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) system to tax pension income, and your first pension withdrawal will probably be overtaxed. This is because your provider won’t know your tax code and so an emergency code will be applied, which assumes that the payment you receive will be repeated each month as if you were receiving a regular salary.

This payment could be significant, and could mean you’re pushed into the higher rate of tax. You can actively reclaim this overpaid tax by contacting HMRC and filling in the required forms, or they should automatically refund it at the end of the tax year.

Beware of rising tax brackets

If you’re going to opt for a UFPLS, make sure not to withdraw too much of your pension in one go because it can push you into a higher income tax bracket.

To illustrate, consider this example. Jack has £100,000 in his pension which he wishes to release in one lump sum. Of this withdrawal, £25,000 isn’t taxed which leaves the remainder liable for income tax after accounting for his personal allowance.

This means he’ll face a 40% tax charge on £24,729, the higher rate tax for income above £50,271.

Now, if he decided to withdraw this in two instalments of £50,000 over two tax years he’d negate this higher rate tax charge entirely.

Did you know?

Unlike a salary, pensions aren't liable for National Insurance contributions. 

Uncrystallised funds and your Money Purchase Annual Allowance

The most you can contribute towards your pension while earning tax-relief is the higher of your annual income or £60,000 per year. This is known as your annual allowance, and it remains in place unless you intend to make flexible withdrawals from your pension.

At this point you’ll trigger your Money Purchase Annual Allowance (MPAA), which reduces the amount you can save into your pension tax-free to £10,000 per year. This rule was introduced by the Government to stop people from recycling their pension and effectively earning more tax-relief on their contributions.

Now, it is important to note that the MPAA is only triggered if you opt for flexible withdrawal of your funds. This means if you set up a drawdown arrangement and take a pension commencement lump sum but no further income, purchase an annuity where the income is guaranteed, or take a small pots lump sum the MPAA won’t apply.

If you opt for a UFPLS or take a regular income from a drawdown arrangement, then it does apply.

FAQ

Is a pension considered income for unemployment benefits?

Yes. If you’re in receipt of means tested benefits, such as income-based jobseeker’s allowance or income support, your pension income could affect your eligibility. 

Does my personal allowance still apply to my pension?

Yes, the first £12,570 of your income won’t be subject to income tax.

How much tax will I pay on my state pension?

Your state pension counts towards your taxable income. So, if your total annual income – including your state pension and workplace pension – exceeds your personal allowance, you’ll be taxed at your nominal rate.

Do pensioners need to lodge a tax return?

Typically speaking, pensioners won’t need to lodge a tax return, provided their only income is from their pension. If they have any other form of income – such as a buy-to-let property, investment/dividend income outside of an ISA, or a business – they’ll need to fill in a self-assessment tax return accordingly.

Disclaimer: This information is intended solely to provide guidance and is not financial advice. Moneyfacts will not be liable for any loss arising from your use or reliance on this information. If you are in any doubt, Moneyfacts recommends you obtain independent financial advice.

Retired couple walking arm in arm

At a glance

  • Pensions differ from other investment vehicles, like savings and investments, in that you can take up to 25% of your pension fund tax-free
  • How this is taxed depends on how your pension is withdrawn
  • This includes income from the state pension which is included in the tax calculation.

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Moneyfactscompare.co.uk will never contact you by phone to sell you any financial product. Any calls like this are not from Moneyfacts. Emails sent by Moneyfactscompare.co.uk will always be from news@moneyfacts-news.co.uk. Be ScamSmart.