Mounting pressures on people to build a nest egg for retirement can sometimes force people down the wrong path. It’s important you develop a total savings strategy that will reduce the risk of losing money you set aside, but equally will maximise growth. As always, it’s about balance.
Parking some of your money in a pension scheme can deliver great tax breaks. As well as being tax efficient for new growth and income, you will get an extra 20{42972646a1b11d15e0a7a9a6db4fb4925ffa9d0e1fa048d8f6e131eced035707} boost courtesy of our Government. Higher rate taxpayers can claim further tax relief through their tax return. Pensions work like an investment wrapper, so are similar to an ISA. The difference is in the limits and benefits. Like any investment, you will choose which funds to invest your pension pot in. Higher returns and higher risks are likely to go hand-in-hand. However, these are long-term plans, so your pension performance should smooth out fluctuations in investments. The downside of investing purely through a pension fund is it can restrict how and when you can access your money. Talking to a specialist retirement adviser can help you balance a pension with other more accessible investments and cash savings.What are the limits?
You can now invest up to 100{42972646a1b11d15e0a7a9a6db4fb4925ffa9d0e1fa048d8f6e131eced035707} of your annual earnings, or £3,600 whichever is higher. However, two main limits apply:- Annual Limit – If you pay in more than £40,000 then you will have to pay tax on any payments over that amount, although a lower limit of £10,000 may apply if you have already started drawing a pension. There is, however, a possibility of using some previous allowances to makes higher contributions in some cases.
- Lifetime Limit – If your total fund value, including every pension you hold, is worth more than £1.25 Million (2015 / 2016 tax year) when you retire, then you will have to pay tax at a punishing 55{42972646a1b11d15e0a7a9a6db4fb4925ffa9d0e1fa048d8f6e131eced035707} on any value above this lifetime limit. Any money your employer pays into your pension will count toward these limits.
