Getting your retirement savings off the ground and starting your pension as early as possible means that you’ll have a better chance of achieving the retirement that you have in mind. At Lester Brunt, we help our clients find the most suitable pension solutions, no matter whether you’re setting up your first pension, or checking up on existing plans. Our goal is to help your money go further, with tailored advice aimed at benefitting your future.
Pensions are one of the most tax-efficient ways to save for the future, as you can receive tax relief on your contributions. This means, subject to certain allowances, the government will add money to your contributions.
Our expert advisers are on hand to help with all your pension questions and worries.
The value of an investment with St. James’s Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds selected and may fall as well as rise. You may get back less than the amount invested.
The levels and bases of taxation and reliefs from taxation can change at any time Tax relief is dependent on individual circumstances.
In an age where the online world is at our fingertips, why shouldn’t your wealth management be there as well? Our Online Services allow you to access all your wealth investments in one smart place. Whether you’re already registered, or just about to, here are some great features that can help you get the most from your online account.
Registering for Online Services with an activation code allows instant access. If you haven’t got a code, please contact your adviser. Registering online ensures all information is password protected.
Set your communication preferences to receive your digital reports and electronic correspondence.
Make online debit card payment for ISA and any JISA top ups with a debit card
linked to your account, on demand and at a time that suits you. Make payments to Unit Trusts, Retirement Accounts and new ISAs. (Speak to your adviser in order to get this process started) View the value of your investments in a range of currencies and see a breakdown of
this valuation. Instant notifications when a new document is available to view.
For every client opting for paperless correspondence, St. James’s Place will donate £5,to the St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation.
The value of an investment with St. James’s Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds you select and the value can therefore go down as well as up. You may get back less than you invested.
The favourable tax treatment of ISAs may not be maintained in the future and is subject to changes in legislation.
Less well-known is that children can also have a pension fund as soon as they are born – and setting one up can bring significant tax advantages. Even if your child is a non-taxpayer, they will still get basic-rate tax relief on contributions. That means a maximum of £2,880 a year is automatically grossed up to take account of tax at 25%, giving an annual investment of £3,600
Most pensions fall into two categories – Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution. Depending which pension type you choose, there will be a difference between how you save and access your money for retirement. Find out more about these pension types below.
The value of a pension with St. James’s Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds you select and the value can therefore go down as well as up. You may get back less than you invested.
A Defined Benefit pension is a type of retirement plan offered by some employers in the UK, though it is becoming less common. It guarantees a specific amount of income to employees upon their retirement, usually based on factors such as salary and length of service. The pension benefits are determined by a formula, typically using a combination of final salary or average earnings. The employer is responsible for funding and managing the pension scheme, and the employees receive a fixed amount of pension income for the rest of their lives after they retire.
With these pensions, contributions are set up either by yourself or an employer. A set amount is paid into the pension plan at regular intervals (often monthly). The pension plan is commonly managed by a third party, who then invest the contributions into various funds. Contributions benefit from government tax relief, but your final retirement pension sum will depend on how well the investments have performed as well as how much you paid in.
When it comes to pensions, there are a range of solutions available to get the most out of your retirement. You can have multiple pensions, so it can be useful to consider different types.
Our qualified advisers can help assess your current pension set up, and suggest options designed to get your money working harder.
A workplace pension (or ‘company pension’), is a Defined Contribution plan set up by your employer. You are automatically enrolled unless you choose to opt out. It helps you save for retirement, with your employer contributing alongside your own contributions and handling most administrative tasks. Throughout your career, you may accumulate multiple workplace pensions, so it’s wise to regularly review their performance and ensure your investments align with your goals. Similar to a personal pension, you can access your savings from age 55 (rising to 57 in 2028) for tax-free cash, income creation, or full or partial withdrawal.
Speak to one of our advisers to make sure you’re staying on top of your workplace pension. We also advise directors and businesses owners on the pension provisions needed for staff.
If you’re self-employed, you won’t have access to traditional workplace pension schemes. This means it’s paramount to invest in your own future by setting up a self-employed pension. Most self-employed pensions offer flexibility for ad-hoc contributions or regular top-ups, with tax relief to enhance your savings. It’s important to set up a pension as soon as possible and our advisers are available to provide more information about your options.
The State Pension is a recurring payment provided by the government after you reach the eligible age. You must accumulate 35 years of National Insurance credits to be eligible for the full amount. State pensions are also available to self-employed workers, so long as they have paid enough National Insurance contributions.
Self-Invested Pension Plans (SIPPs) provide greater investment options and tax efficiency compared to traditional pension plans. They offer flexibility but require active management and are typically suitable for experienced investors due to higher risks. They are tax-efficient with growth being exempt from Income and Capital Gains Taxes. You should always take advice to ensure investment compatibility, especially when comparing charges, and matching your risk appetite.
SIPP investment areas include:
SIPPs will not be suitable for everybody and generally only those who are fairly experienced at actively managing their investment should consider this type of investment. The levels and bases of taxation and reliefs from taxation can change at any time and are dependent on individual circumstances. The value of a SIPP can fall as well as rise. You may get back less than the amount invested.
There are strict rules on what property can be held and how.
At Lester Brunt, we work with our clients to find solutions that instil a sense of confidence about the future. We want to make sure that you feel well-informed in the financial choices you make, with the knowledge and information to make confident decisions. We take a holistic approach, taking into account all aspects of your life, including your lifestyle, family and future plans, to make sure that our advice is relevant to you as an individual.
What is pension tax relief and how does it work?
Pension tax relief is a government incentive that allows individuals to receive tax benefits on their contributions to a pension. The amount of tax relief is based on the individual’s income tax rate, providing a boost to their pension savings by reducing the amount of tax they need to pay. If you are a basic rate taxpayer, you will receive an extra 20% on your eligible contributions. If you are a higher rate taxpayer its 40%, and 45% if you are an additional rate taxpayer, when claimed through your tax return. The rates are slightly different in Scotland, due to alternate tax bands.
The value of an investment with St. James’s Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds you select and the value can therefore go down as well as up. You may get back less than you invested.
The levels and bases of taxation and reliefs from taxation can change at any time. The value of any tax relief depends on individual circumstances.
How can you use end of tax year to maximise your pension?
You should think about topping up your pension as much as you can before the end of the tax year, to make the most of the income tax relief that you receive on the money you put into your pension pot.
In 2024/2025 you can contribute up to £60,000 into your pension, or 100% of your UK Relevant Earnings (whichever is lowest). That’s why you should consider paying in as much as you think you can afford on a regular basis.
You can also make use of any unused allowances from the previous 3 tax years, however, the allowance for each year remains at the previous limit of £40,000 a year.
How much money do you need in your pension pot?
A good starting point is to halve your age and try to save that percentage of your salary each year.
Another way to look at it is to aim to have saved multiples of your earnings by a certain age. For example:
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