Redundancy payment & 40% tax

sharpecat

My husband is shortly to be made redundant and part of his redundancy payment £18k falls into the 40% tax bracket. He does not intend to work anymore (aged 52.5 years) and intends to draw his occupational pension at 55.
To try to claw the tax back. Is it a good idea to place £10.8k (+ tax back) in a sipp giving a total of £13k and drawdown at 55?
Or are there other options he could consider. Any help will be gratefully recieved.

getmore4less

When is the payment due,
If he can get it in the next tax year that might work unless it is a massive payment(£75k+).

sharpecat

Yes he is taking it in the new tax year, he has worked for his employer for 33 years