Pension Freedoms

Nowadays, when going to the cinema, do you notice how many different choices there are to make before we can even view the film?

Do we want Premier Seating? Do we want the popcorn and drink deal? Do we want to go extra large?

There’s a lot to think about and the same can be said when considering how we can take money from our pension savings.

When you reach age 55, (or age 57 from 6th April 2028) you are free to take the money you have saved from your defined contribution pension.  

There are 3 main ways to access your money:

Option 1:  If you prefer the security of a guaranteed income for life, you can use your savings to buy an insurance policy, known as an annuity.  This income may be smaller than with the other options, but you won’t have to worry about running out of money in the future.  Just be aware that once you’ve bought an annuity you can’t change your mind.

Option 2:  You can take money from your pension as and when you want it and the money you leave in your pot stays invested - as it was when you were paying into your pension.  Charges will still be taken but leaving it invested may give it more chance to grow. There is a risk that the value of your investments could go down and you may not get back what has been put in.  Remember, there is no guarantee that the money will last a lifetime with this option.

Option 3:  You can take all of your money out as cash but as tempting as that is, you’ll need to think carefully about any tax implications and how long your savings will last, as taking large sums of cash could put you into a higher income tax bracket and you could run out of money in the future if you don’t budget carefully.

It is possible to mix the different options too, if you want to.

Before you do anything, you can normally take 25% from your savings tax-free, so you could pay off any debts, travel, or just treat yourself to the small things in life.  The remaining 75% of the savings you will take will be treated like your salary and taxed as income.

You don’t have to do anything with your savings either. You can leave your pension exactly where it is.

Whatever choice you make, it’s worth reviewing the options carefully and getting advice.

You should also shop around and compare the different levels of income you could get from different providers.

Here at Aviva, we have dedicated staff available to talk you through your options, so whatever route you choose, we can help you set the scene for the retirement you want.