Claiming tax back from Management Share Option proceeds paid into an AVC

ParkingEyeSore

I have some outstanding MSOs from my former employer.  I left due to retirement so under the rules of the scheme I am still allowed to exercise these options within 6 months of leaving.

The tax advantaged options seem straightforward enough and I will exercise these and pay any CGT due through SA.

However, I'm not so sure about the the non-tax advantaged options.  Whilst employed I was able to exercise these and transfer the gross proceeds directly to my AVC without incurring tax/NIC.  As I'm no longer employed this option is unavailable and tax/NIC will be deducted at the point of sale before I receive the remaining proceeds.

I'm assuming that I can I pay these net proceeds into an AVC and then claim the the tax/NIC back through SA.  Is this correct?

Also would I instead need to use some of my savings to pay the full gross amount into an AVC to get the full amount of tax returned?

I am unlikely to have any other earnings in the 2025/6 tax year as I have not yet taken my pension and am using savings for living expenses.