Your destiny is now in your own hands
If you are in your 50s or 60s, your thoughts are probably turning towards retirement. When should you retire? How much money do you need?
Category: Retirement
Lifetime allowance
Breach may impact on more than a million workers
An estimated 1.25 million people are set to breach the current lifetime allowance (LTA) £1.055 million lifetime limit for pension tax relief over the course of their working life, according to new research published[1].
State Pension
Half a million workers past pension age could be paying unnecessary tax
A significant number of people working past the State Pension age could be paying unnecessary tax on their State Pension, according to new research[1]. This is because they failed to take up the option of deferring their State Pension until they stopped work. As a result, their entire State Pension is being taxed, in some cases at 40%.
Tracing a lost pension
Nearly £20 billion unclaimed money and growing
The scale of the UK’s lost pensions mountain has been exposed by the largest study yet on the subject[1]. The Pensions Policy Institute surveyed firms representing about 50% of the private defined contribution pensions market[2].
Freetirees
Pension freedoms usher in a new generation
The introduction of pension freedoms has been a huge enabler for over-55s, allowing millions to draw income from their pensions flexibly. Pension freedoms offer the opportunity to transition into retirement by continuing to work with reduced hours beyond traditional retirement age.
Workplace pension savings
Employees contribute higher pension payments
On 6 April 2019, the minimum level of auto-enrolment contributions increased to 8% of earnings, made up of 3% from employers and 5% from employees. According to data from the Pensions Regulator, auto-enrolment has brought a total of 9,937,000 people into the scheme to date, and involved 1,400,918 employers.
Retirement options
Greater responsibility on individuals to plan for financial security in old age
Deciding what to do with your pension pot is one of the most important decisions you will ever make for your future. The ‘pension freedom’ changes of April 2015 represented a complete shake-up of the UK’s pensions system, giving people much more control over their pension savings than before.
Smart plans
Living a less complicated life!
For anyone enjoying their retirement years and living a less complicated life, it can be easy to assume that you no longer require professional financial advice. Some people may believe that since they have reached their 60s and ‘retired’, the hard work is over.
Seize the day
Planning for a comfortable life after years of hard work
Over time, with life expectancy and the cost of living rising, it could mean that some retirees are at risk of running out of pension income in later life. So what can you do to make sure that you have a big enough pension to meet your needs for the whole of your retirement?
Looking at the big retirement picture
Considering making contributions ahead of the tax year end?
Investing for the future is vital if you want to enjoy a financially secure retirement, and it requires you to look at the big picture. Although pensions can be complicated, we will help you get to grips with the rules if you are considering making contributions ahead of the tax year end. Here are our top pension tax tips.