5 DIY Pension Mistakes to Avoid

5 DIY Pension Mistakes to Avoid

Anyone can set up a pension, either through an employer or directly.

But pensions can be complicated and there are a few pitfalls to avoid when looking at your retirement planning options.

Miscalculating Contributions

Most people do not contribute enough to their pension. Assuming a typical salary of ￡30,000 per year, the minimum pension contribution under auto-enrolment is ￡158.40 per month (of which ￡59.40 is paid by your employer).

Over 30 years, assuming investment growth of 5% per year (after charges), you could end up with a pension pot of just under ￡130,000. Your contributions will probably increase during that time, but then, so will the cost of living. If you use the fund to generate an income of 5%, this could give you an annual pension of ￡6,500. While this is a useful supplement to the State Pension, it probably won’t provide your dream retirement.

Increasing your pension contributions is often a good idea, especially if you are a higher rate taxpayer, as it can reduce the amount of tax you pay.

At the other end of the scale, it’s possible to contribute too much into your pension. For example:

• Your personal contributions only receive tax relief if they do not exceed your relevant UK earnings or ￡3,600 per year (gross), whichever is higher.
• Both personal and employer contributions are subject to the Annual Allowance of ￡40,000.
• Higher earners may have their Annual Allowance reduced.
• Your pension benefits are subject to the Lifetime Allowance, which places an overall cap on the amount of pension savings you can accrue. This is currently ￡1,073,100.

Heavy tax penalties can apply for exceeding these allowances.

There are calculators available online to help you decide on the most appropriate level of pension contribution. Alternatively, a financial adviser can help.

Not Reviewing Your Pensions

If you have built up several pensions over the years, you might not be receiving the best deal. Older contracts in particular can be expensive and offer limited investment choice.

Modern pensions are flexible and most offer a wide range of investment options at a competitive cost.

It might be worth consolidating your pensions, not only to improve on the contract terms, but also to make it easier to keep track of your retirement pot.

However, some pensions offer benefits and guarantees that would be lost if you moved the funds to another provider. It’s best to seek financial advice when reviewing your pensions.

Not Taking the Right Level of Risk

If you are averse to risk, it can be tempting to keep your pension in cash or lower risk funds. But pensions are a long-term investment. Over a working life of 40 years or more, your pot could lose value in real terms, as it won’t be able to keep up with inflation.

In the earlier years, investing the majority of your pension in equities (shares) is the best way to enhance the long-term value. The value will fluctuate, and your fund may even lose money at times. But over time, the value should increase.

As you approach retirement, it might be appropriate to reduce the level of risk to protect the capital you have built up.

At any stage in your retirement plan, it’s sensible to hold a wide range of different investments. This means that you can benefit from investment growth, while smoothing out some of the ups and downs. A multi-asset fund or managed portfolio can allow you to diversify your pension fund, while leaving stock-picking to the professionals.

Taking Benefits Early

Currently, you can withdraw money from your pension at any time from age 55. This is rising to 57 from 2028, and thereafter will remain 10 years under the State Pension age. There are no limits on how much you can withdraw from your pension, although only the first 25% is free of tax.

But for most people, retiring at 55 is not realistic. Many of today’s workforce are likely to be working into their 60s and 70s.

Having access to your pension while you are still working can be useful if you need to clear your mortgage or help family members. But there are some disadvantages to taking your pension early:

• It will leave you with less to live on when you retire. You may not be able to recoup the amount you have withdrawn.
• You will lose out on investment growth, which could have increased the amount available later on.
• You will pay tax on your pension benefits over and above the tax-free lump sum. When added to your earnings, this can increase your tax bill and even push you into a higher tax bracket.
• Taking taxable pension benefits triggers the Money Purchase Annual Allowance (MPAA). This reduces your allowable pension contributions to ￡4,000 per year, with no scope to carry forward unused allowances from previous years. If you still have 10 years to go until you can realistically retire, curbing your contributions can put a dent in your plans.
• Pensions grow tax-free and are not included in your estate for Inheritance Tax purposes. Even when you retire, it can be worth using up other assets first and preserving your pension.

Not Shopping Around

As you approach your retirement date, you might receive a benefits statement from your pension provider indicating how much income you could receive. Some pension providers offer annuities, which means you can convert your pension into a guaranteed annual income.

If you plan on buying an annuity, it’s worth shopping around for a few different quotes. Other providers might be able to offer better rates. If you have any health conditions, you may be offered enhanced terms.

Your pension provider might offer certain guarantees, so it’s important to understand how they work and when they will be lost. For example, you may be offered a guaranteed annuity rate, but without the option of a spouse’s pension.

Remember, you don’t need to buy an annuity at all. You can draw an income directly from your pension pot, while leaving the majority invested. This has risks, as the value can still fluctuate. But it also gives you a great deal more flexibility to vary your income and provide benefits for your loved ones. By opting for drawdown, you can still buy an annuity later on if this suits your circumstances.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is for educational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. Consult with a qualified financial adviser before making any investment decisions.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) do not regulate Inheritance Tax Planning, Tax and Trusts.

The benefits to the treatment of tax will depend on your individual circumstances and may be subject to change in future.

The value of investments and the income they produce may go down as well as up. You may get back less than you originally invested

Pensions are a long-term investment. You may get back less than you originally put in. Pensions are subject to tax and regulatory change, meaning the tax treatment of pension benefits can and may change in the future.

Figures correct at time of writing.