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Understanding Pension Contributions

The government encourages you to save for your retirement by giving you tax relief on pension contributions. Tax relief reduces your tax bill or increases your pension fund.

You pay Income Tax on your earnings before any pension contribution, but the pension provider claims tax back from the government at the basic rate of 20 per cent. In practice, this means that for every £8.00 you pay into your pension, you end up with £10.00 in your pension pot. If you pay tax at higher rate, you can claim the difference through your tax return or by telephoning or writing to HMRC. If you're an additional rate taxpayer you'll have to claim the difference through your tax return.

Pension contributions are a good mean of reducing your tax bill and in the current climate help ensure that your retirement years will not be spent working!

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