Broadly the new regime allows considerable freedom in the tax relievable contributions that may be made to pension schemes, and the assets in which they may be invested. It also however caps the size of tax favoured pension fund that may be accumulated by an individual. This 'lifetime allowance' was set at £1.6M for 2007–08. Funds accumulated in excess of the lifetime allowance are subject to a tax charge of 55%. Transitional protection provisions were made for individuals who had already accumulated pension funds in excess of this amount.
Full concurrency – contribute to personal and occupational schemes at the same time
Lifetime allowance – Amount of pension over which charges may be levied if you have no protection
Annual allowance – obtain tax relief on contributions of up to £3,600 or 100% of income, if greater, subject to a maximum
Alternative secured pensions – possible to avoid purchasing an annuity even after age 75
Single allowable investment regime – all schemes allowed to hold qualifying investments
The annual allowance for each tax year was set at:
2007–2008: £225,000
2008–2009: £235,000
2009–2010: £245,000
2010–2011: £255,000
2011–2012: £50,000
2012–2013: £50,000
2013–2014: £50,000
2014–2020: £40,000 Tax Year - Lifetime Allowance 2006/07 £1,500,000
2007/08 £1,600,000
2008/09 £1,650,000
2009/10 £1,750,000
2010/11 £1,800,000
2011/12 £1,800,000
2012/13 £1,500.000
2013/14 £1,500.000
2014/15 £1,250,000
2015/16 £1,250,000
2016/17 £1,000,000
2017/18 £1,000,000
2018/19 £1,030,000
2019/20 £1,055,000
In addition to the above changes, employees aged 50 or over can withdraw up to 25% of each of their pension funds as a tax–free lump sum when it comes into payment, whether or not they continue to work. The age at which a pension can begin to be paid will be increased to 55 on 6 April 2010.
Member-directed pension schemes
A-Day introduced changes for the two types of member-directed pension schemes, SIPP and SSAS. These two different arrangements were largely brought into line with each other, with the following exceptions:
SIPP would still be managed by an administrator;
SSAS no longer requires a pensioneer trustee;
SSAS continues to be able to offer loans to a sponsoring employer, although such "loanbacks" must now be secured against an asset of the borrower.
