Taking my working pension early

Hi, I’ll be 55 in March and I’m thinking of taking what pension I have all out in one go. I have 2 not very big pensions but not sure if I’ll be stung for tax or anything if I do this, can anyone tell me what is likely to happen? Thanks.

Comments

  • MEM62
    MEM62 Posts: 5,248 Forumite
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    Tdal13 said:
     can anyone tell me what is likely to happen? 
    1) Depending on your current earnings you will likely pay a large chunk in tax on 75% of the pension  2) Unless you have other financial assets, you will face a very frugal existence trying to live solely on the state pension when you retire.
  • dunstonh
    dunstonh Posts: 119,229 Forumite
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    I have 2 not very big pensions but not sure if I’ll be stung for tax or anything if I do this, can anyone tell me what is likely to happen?
    75% of the draw will be added to your income and tax will be at the appropriate rates of income tax.   Initially, you will be taxed at emergency rate.   This could result in too much or too little tax being deducted to begin with.   However you would notify HMRC and it would then be corrected.

    Your annual pension allowance would be reduced to just £10,000 pa. (gross and including employer contributions).

    I am an Independent Financial Adviser (IFA). The comments I make are just my opinion and are for discussion purposes only. They are not financial advice and you should not treat them as such. If you feel an area discussed may be relevant to you, then please seek advice from an Independent Financial Adviser local to you.
  • Brie
    Brie Posts: 14,164 Ambassador
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    Define "not very big".  Small enough to be considered "small pots"?  And as MEM said some will be taxable, perhaps at a high rate.

    Also are you retiring?  If not are you currently paying into a work pension scheme?  Depending on what types of pension you are considering taking and how you may be limited in the future tax free amounts you can pay into your OPS.    
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  • Albermarle
    Albermarle Posts: 27,119 Forumite
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    Tdal13 said:
    Hi, I’ll be 55 in March and I’m thinking of taking what pension I have all out in one go. I have 2 not very big pensions but not sure if I’ll be stung for tax or anything if I do this, can anyone tell me what is likely to happen? Thanks.
    Assuming you are still working then you should really be thinking about making your pension pot bigger, not cashing them in.
  • Marcon
    Marcon Posts: 13,797 Forumite
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    Tdal13 said:
    Hi, I’ll be 55 in March and I’m thinking of taking what pension I have all out in one go. 
    Why? What are you hoping to accomplish by doing so?
    Googling on your question might have been both quicker and easier, if you're only after simple facts rather than opinions!  
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