Wherever you are with your retirement provision, do not be swayed from considering action, it s not too late. There are still steps you can take to improve the pension amount you ll get when you finish working.
Pensions are a highly tax-efficient way to invest. If you already have a pension, now would be a good time to contact us about making a lump sum contribution to improve it, especially as the close of tax yr is rapidly forthcoming, or starting a SIPP to improve your choices. You will not have to draw all your pensions at the same time.
If you re employer or self employed, you can contribute up to 100 per cent of the value of your relevant UK earnings (salary and other earnings), up to a maximum of 245,000 for the 2009/10 tax year rising to 255,000 for the tax yr 2010/11. Investments above this yearly limit are allowed but will be taxed. You can invest into any number of pension schemes (personal and/or company) each year.
You will obtain tax relief on your Investments, so if you are a higher rate tax payer a 20,000 contribution would cost just 12,000. Basic rate tax relief is added by the government to all contributions at a rate of 20%.
Forty% tax payers can claim up to a further twenty percent tax relief via self assessment. If you earn more than 150,000 you will see the tax relief on your pensions cut from April 2011, tapering from 40 to 20 % for those making more than 180,000. Earners beneath 130,000 will not be affected.
There s a lifetime limit on the size of your pension pot, which is presently £1.75m in the tax yr 2009/10 but rises to £1.8m for the 2010/11 tax year. If your investment fund surpasses this, you ll incur tax charges of 55 percent if the surplus benefits are taken as a lump sum and 25 percent if taken as regular income. The income will then be subject to income tax at your highest rate.
From 6th April 10, the age at which you can start drawing your pension increases to fifty five. If you need to, pension benefits can be postponed until you are up to 75 yrs old. You might still be able to take your pension prior to age 55 in some circumstances, for example if you retire through ill-health.
Consilium Asset Management Ltd provide pension advice and retirement planning advice.
The value of investments and the income from them can go down as well as up and you may not get back your original investment. Past performance is not an indication of future performance. Tax benefits may vary as a result of statutory change and their value will depend on individual circumstances. Thresholds, percentage rates and tax legislation may change in subsequent finance acts.