Is pension release legal?

Pension release means taking money early from your pension and it is legal from the age of 55, as long as you have the right kind of scheme:

• There are no restrictions on how much of your savings you can take
  
• The first 25% is tax free, the rest is taxed as regular income
  
• Certain workplace pensions have their own age restrictions so it’s worth checking with your HR department first

In almost all cases you cannot take money from your pension before you reach 55. If a company tells you that you can, it is likely to be a scam.

What are the right kinds of pensions?

Withdrawals can be made from any private pension and most workplace pensions, although if you are in a scheme that offers a guaranteed income in retirement you may have to transfer to a private scheme before you can take any money from your pension.

You can no longer withdraw lump sums or transfer out of unfunded public sector schemes, which may include emergency services, the NHS, armed forces, civil servants and teachers. Pension release also does not apply to the State Pension.

Can money be withdrawn before 55?

For the majority of people the earliest money can be taken from a pension is from the age of 55. It is only in very rare circumstances, such as extremely poor health, that people are allowed to withdraw their pensions earlier.

Are there any risks with pension release?

Some pensions, such as final salary schemes, offer a guaranteed income for life as well as additional benefits. Transferring out of this type of scheme to release money might not be the right option for you because you will lose these benefits.

There is also the risk of falling victim to a scam. The easiest way to protect yourself is to only take regulated financial advice. Scams can be very convincing and often claim that with a loophole you can withdraw money from your pension before you are 55. This could lead to a tax bill of 55% or more, on top of the fees you would be charged from the company that persuaded you to withdraw your pension in the first place. Worst of all, your savings could be placed into very risky investments or disappear completely.

Everyone’s circumstances are different, so withdrawing a pension early is not always the most appropriate option. Our speciality is showing our clients what we believe to be the best choice for them, which may be taking money or it may be leaving their pension exactly as it is, and it doesn’t cost a penny to receive this recommendation.

Releasing pension money early isn’t right for everyone as it will leave you worse off in retirement.

Why are my withdrawals taxed?

The great thing about pensions is that most people pay no tax on the money contributed to them. Any growth on those contributions is also tax free, which helps your fund grow larger in a shorter space of time. Instead of taking the tax upfront, the government counts the money you take out of a pension as earnings and applies tax at that stage.

Tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances and may be subject to change.

Can I take money from my public sector pension?

This depends on the type of public sector pension you have, as some of them allow money to be taken out and others do not. People in ‘unfunded’ pensions will not be able to take money from them before they retire. If you are unsure what type you have then your employer should be able to tell you.

Won’t taking money from my pension mean I have less to live on in retirement?

Quite possible, yes, taking money from your pension could reduce your income in the future; although, for many people using pension money to tackle something now makes perfect sense. In our experience, some of the common things people use their pension money for include clearing a debt, making essential home repairs or paying towards a family wedding.

There is a lot to consider, which is why taking advice from a regulated financial adviser before making a decision is so important. The key thing is to balance the importance of your current needs with what you may need in the future.