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Will paying voluntary NICs boost your pension?

Pension pot - will paying voluntary NICs boost your pension?

To qualify for a full state pension, you need 35 qualifying years. You can earn these through paying National Insurance contributions or being awarded National Insurance credits. If you will not have sufficient qualifying years for a full state pension when you reach state pension age, you can ‘buy’ additional qualifying years through the payment … Read more

Pension changes

Pension changes

In his March Budget, the Chancellor announced a number of changes to the pension tax rules, including an increase in the annual allowance and the abolition of the lifetime allowance. Annual allowance The annual allowance places a cap on tax-relieved pension savings. Individuals can obtain tax relief on contributions to a registered pension scheme of … Read more

Pension payments – What tax relief is available?

Pension payments - tax relief

To encourage pension savings, tax relief is available on contributions made to registered pension schemes. However, there are limits on the contributions that can qualify for relief, and punishing tax charges can apply if these limits are exceeded. Limit 1 – 100% of relevant earnings Tax relief on private pension contributions is capped at 100% … Read more

Is it worthwhile making additional pension contributions before 6 April 2022?

pension contributions

It is prudent to plan ahead for retirement and tax breaks are available to encourage savings into a registered pension scheme. Contributions into a registered pension scheme attract tax relief as long as the contributions are covered by the available annual allowance and are not more than 100% of earnings (or £3,600 if higher). Tax-relieved … Read more

Do I need to top up my pension?

pension top up

A full single tier state pension is payable to people who have 35 qualifying years. Individuals who have less than 35 qualifying years, but at least 10 qualifying years are entitled to a reduced state pension. A person builds up qualifying years by paying sufficient National Insurance contributions and/or receiving National Insurance credits. Anyone who … Read more

Increasing the normal minimum pension age

Pension age

The normal minimum pension age (NMPA) is the age at which most pension savers can access their pensions without incurring an unauthorised pension charge (unless they take their pension earlier due to ill-health). Registered pension scheme cannot normally pay any benefits to members until they reach the NMPA (except in the case of ill-health). Registered … Read more

Pension annual allowance – Making tax relieved contributions

Pension annual allowance

Tax relief is available to encourage individuals to make contributions to registered private pension plans. However, while there is no limit to the amount that an individual can contribute to their pension plans, there are limits on the contributions that qualify for tax relief. One of those limits is the annual allowance. Tax relieved contributions … Read more

Auto-enrolment – your current responsibilities as an employer

Pension planning

Auto-enrolment – Re-enrolment and re-declaration of compliance The Covid-19 pandemic has introduced many challenges for employers. However, despite the pandemic, their responsibilities in relation to auto-enrolment remain the same. The employer’s on-going duties include their re-enrolment and re-declaration obligations. Every 3 years, the employer must put certain members of staff back into their auto-enrolment pension … Read more