Advice about Pensions
Wherever you are with your retirement provision, do not be swayed from taking action, it s not too late. There are still steps you can put into place to increase the pension amount you ll get when you finish working.
Pensions are a highly tax-efficient way to invest. If you already have a pension, now would be a good time to contact us about making a single premium investment to boost it, particularly as the end of tax yr is quickly approaching, or starting a SIPP to improve your choices. You will not have to take all your pensions at the same time.
If you are employed or self-employed, you can contribute up to 100 per cent of the value of your relevant UK salary (salary and other earnings), up to a maximum of 245,000 for the 2009/10 tax year rising to 255,000 for the tax year 2010/11. Investments above this annual limit are granted but will be taxed. You can contribute into any number of pension schemes (personal and/or company) each year.
You ll get tax relief on your Investment, so if you are a forty percent tax payer a 20,000 investment would cost just 12,000. Basic rate tax relief is supplied by the government to all contributions at a rate of 20 per cent.
High rate tax payers can obtain up to a further twenty % tax relief via their tax return. If you earn more than 150,000 you will see the tax relief on your pensions cut from April 2011, tapering from 40 to 20 % for those making more than 180,000. Earners below 130,000 will not be affected.
There s a lifetime limit on the amount of your pension savings, which is presently £1.75m in the tax year 2009/10 but rises to £1.8m for the 2010/11 tax yr. If your fund exceeds this, you ll incur tax charges of 55 per cent if the excess gains are taken as a lump sum and 25 % if taken as regular income. The income will then be subject to income tax at your highest rate.
From 6th April 10, the age at which you can start taking your pension rises to 55. If you need to, pension benefits can be postponed until you are up to 75 years old. You might still be able to take your pension prior to age 55 in certain circumstances, e.g. if you retire through ill-health.
Consilium Asset Management provide pension advice and retirement planning advice.
The value of investments and the income from them can go down as well as up and you may not get back your original investment. Past performance is not an indication of future performance. Tax benefits may vary as a result of statutory change and their value will depend on individual circumstances. Thresholds, percentage rates and tax legislation may change in subsequent finance acts.
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