Retirement and pensions

With hardly a week going by without some new revelation on the so called 'pensions crisis', what action should you take with your existing pension plans and how should your planning be developed in order that you can retire with an adequate level of retirement income? Please contact us to discuss how we can advise you in this aspect of your planning.

When will you reach state retirement age? With changes in the offing please check here to find out when you will currently become entitled to your state pension.

We have a range of calculators designed to help you consider what your wealth might be in the future, including our Millionaire calculator.

  • Savings calculator - find out by how much your savings will grow
  • Millionaire calculator - inspired by the TV programme, at a return of 3% £1 million will provide after tax income of £2,500 per month before tax

If you own a business asset, will you be entitled to entrepreneurs' relief?  What will your business asset be worth after tax?

Pension changes

The last government announced that tax relief would be restricted to the 20% basic rate of tax for pension contributions for those earning £150,000 a year.

Qualifying for a state pension

The Coalition Government has changed the age rules for qualification for the state pension. Currently the state pension age is 60 for women and 65 for men. The changes announced in 2010 mean that retirement age for women will be equalised with that for men at 65 by 2018 and both will increase to 66 by 2020.

Achieving financial security in retirement

For many people their retirement plans have been devastated by the fall of the stock market in the first decade of the new millennium, reduction in property values and the fall in interest and annuity rates. Many may question what chance there is of a 'comfortable retirement'?

Pension premiums

There is no limit on the amount that may be contributed to a registered pension scheme. The maximum amount on which an individual can claim tax relief in any tax year is the greater of the individual's UK relevant earnings or £3,600.

Pension contributions and tax relief

Any member of a registered pension scheme may make unlimited contributions to a registered pension scheme. However to qualify for tax relief a contribution must be a relievable pension contribution made by a relevant UK individual.

Pension credit 2011/12

Details of pension credits.

Stakeholder pensions

Stakeholder pension schemes are low-cost pensions meant for people without existing private pension arrangements. They were originally targeted at people who earn more than £10,000 a year and who cannot join an occupational pension scheme. They have, however, turned out to have much broader appeal.

State pension deferral

State pension deferral is the right to defer entitlement to the state pension. In return for deferring a lump sum accrues with interest added to the deferred entitlement at a rate normally of 2% over bank base rate. Therefore the deferral claim cannot accurately be evaluated in advance. Examples of the potential lump sum entitlement are shown in our tax rates.