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Workplace and Private Pension Rules

What is a pension scheme or a personal pension plan? Workplace and private pensions are tax-efficient, long term ways of saving money for your retirement. A personal pension works similar to an occupational pension, but there are several striking differences to be clear about. This overview lists all the categories that relate to company and personal pensions.

How Do Private Pensions Work?

Occupational and private pension schemes help to secure a regular income. They can provide financial benefits for people in older life.

Besides the new State Pension, individuals or their employers can put aside long term investment contributions throughout their working lives.

The aim is for the maturing fund, called a pension pot, to make a profit. In most cases, these funds yield regular payments for pensioners during old age retirement.

Pension funds often grow best when a percentage of your earnings is ‘automatically’ invested. In most cases the money goes into stocks and shares. As the fund ‘grows’, it should provide you with regular payments during old age retirement.

Here’s how it works:

The pot payments are usually deducted from your salary on paydays. As a rule, your employer will also contribute extra money into the same fund.

One major advantage of this means your pension scheme also benefits from UK Government tax relief. Even so, many of the rules on a UK private pension will differ for self-employed workers.

Once you become eligible to receive your pension, the fund can pay you a regular income while you are alive. The scheme also allows you to take a tax-free lump sum from workplace pensions when you retire.

In some circumstances, you can take it all in one payment. This is more common if your savings are minimal. But, single lump sums are liable to income tax after the first 25%.


Guide to Workplace and Personal Pensions

Planning for Early Retirement

Retiring early is a viable and an achievable option for many people nowadays. So, how does retiring early affect your pension and any welfare benefits you may be getting?

Further topics in this section are for people who are making plans to stop working. You will find specialist advice and current information on:

Note: Check the list of employment rules and regulations as a human resource guide. Find information for employers and employees with extra details on welfare benefits, taxation, and workers’ rights.


Private Pension Rules

Information in the section explains the rules of private pensions and your rights. There is further guidance on choosing a personal pension (e.g. stakeholder pensions).

The section explains the two different types of private pension plans and how they work. Check what you can get from ‘defined contribution’ and ‘defined benefit’ pension schemes.

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The self-invested personal pension is one of the latest buzzwords in low-cost DIY retirement planning. Find out everything you need to know about SIPP pension rules including how to start a SIPP.


State Pension in United Kingdom

The State Pension rules generate a regular payment to most individuals during their life in retirement. The government old age pension starts when you reach the official retirement age.

Some of the most popular categories in this section include:

Note: Reaching your eightieth birthday would mean you may qualify to get the State Pension over 80 years old. Discover how much you could get as a top up to the current rate every week.


Workplace Pension Rules

UK Government operate a workplace pension scheme, often called work-based or occupational pensions. The welfare benefit also helps to support some widows, widowers, and disabled people.

Browse through the different categories to find further help and information on:

Note: Serving in the armed forces means you may also qualify to get a pension. You can use the government armed forces calculator to work out and forecast the amount you might get.


Risks associated with Pension Schemes

Investments carry some degrees of risk. The value of stocks and shares fluctuates up and down. But, higher returns often result from aggressive investments in areas with higher risk.

Most financial advisers consider bonds to be less risky. There is more guarantee against losing your money. That means there is less risk to the value of your pension pot. But, a bad financial decision could affect the value of your final pension savings.

Note: impartial or professional advice from an independent financial adviser before making investments.


Overview of Occupational and Private Pension Rules in United Kingdom