Updated 03 December 2020
2min read
Mark Brownridge of Mazars answers your questions on the new pension drawdown rules.Â
Iâm already in drawdown, what do the changes mean for me?
If you are already in drawdown, the maximum yearly income you can receive, potentially increases from 120 per cent of Government Actuaryâs Department equivalent annuity (known as âGADâ) to 150 per cent.  However, you probably wonât benefit immediately as the change only takes effect from the date of your next anniversary review.  For example, if your anniversary date is March 1st 2014, you wonât be able to change to the new 150 per cent limit until March 1st 2015.  It will also depend on whether your drawdown provider has the systems in place to facilitate the change.  From 6th April 2015, you will be free to access your drawdown fund however you want.
Iâm retiring soon and am considering drawdown. What do I need to know?
For anyone going into drawdown for the first time, the calculation of their maximum drawdown income will be based on 150 per cent of GAD immediately.
From 6th April 2015, the Government has announced that it plans to scrap the maximum income. From that date, all income limits will be removed.
So, I can take my whole pension fund from 6th April 2015?
Yes. Whilst tempting to take the whole of your pension fund as a lump sum, consider the tax implications. Â Whilst the first 25 per cent of the lump sum is tax free, the remaining 75 per cent will be added to your existing income and taxed at your marginal rate of income tax. Â This could have the effect of pushing you into a higher rate band, meaning you pay more tax than you expected.
Drawdown will continue to only be suitable for those with larger pension pots (generally around £100,000) and for those people who wish to keep their pension funds invested.
Retirement still seems a long way of for me. What do the new changes mean for me?
The new pension rules will provide you with greater freedom and choice but also with new responsibilities. Whilst the biggest single reason for not contributing to a pension, i.e. that your pension pot is locked away, has been removed, the natural temptation will be to dip into them too deeply, too soon â just because you can. Keep in mind that the fundamental principles of planning for life after work remain the same i.e.