Pension Unlocking

The term Pension Unlocking is often used when people want to take money from their pension early. Obtaining cash from your pension in this way is for the most part not advisable. Pension fund proceeds, whether they have accrued via an occupational scheme or private pension, are intended to provide plan members with an income during their retirement so to unlock pension benefits early would usually reduce eventual retirement income.

If you did want to unlock pension benefits early then you would normally have an option to free part or all of your pension as a cash sum, 25% of which is tax free, and the rest of it would be taxed at your marginal rate of tax or, alternatively, provide you with an income for life, which is also taxed as earned income. Please note that the tax treatment would depend upon your personal circumstances and may be subject to change in the future.

Whether you surrender pension benefits from an occupational pension scheme or personal pension you can still usually take a cash sum as well as income. The tax free cash sum is known as the Pension Commencement Lump Sum or PCLS.

The income you receive will depend on a number of factors such as; if the money comes from a personal pension or occupational scheme, if you are married or not. To a certain extent you have a little more choice about how the income can be paid from a private arrangement compared with an occupational scheme. There is also an option to unlock pension cash sums without the need to take immediate income.

Even so, to unlock pension benefits early from any type of scheme, you need to consider your options thoroughly, which is where firms like Ten can help.

If you are interested in Pension Unlocking services and think that you might be eligible Complete your details on the Quick Start form to the right of this page and we will contact you at a convenient time for an initial discussion on your circumstances or call us on 028 91 856991.