Although the lifetime allowance was effectively abolished from April 2023 as the lifetime allowance charge was removed, it has been retained on statute for a year to allow time for the intricacies to be ironed…
Let’s talk about the National insurance gap extension
The normal time limit for a person to fill gaps in their national insurance (NI) record is six years, but transitional arrangements allow gaps to be filled back to 2006/07. The deadline for making such…
The Budget surprise: changes to the pension tax rules
New measures affecting pension allowances announced in the March Budget could mean your retirement planning strategy needs to be reviewed. If Jeremy Hunt did produce a ‘rabbit-out-the-hat’ in his Spring Budget, it was the announcement…
Over-65s set new employment record
The latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveals that more people than ever are working beyond age 65. One of the stranger economic statistics of recent times has been the strength of employment…
Pension top-ups for lower-paid employees
Employees who contribute to an occupational pension scheme under a net pay arrangement do not currently benefit from any tax relief if their earnings are below the personal allowance. This anomaly will be rectified from…
Protecting the normal minimum pension age
The normal minimum pension age (NMPA) will increase from 55 to 57 on 6 April 2028, although a protected pension age regime will be introduced. This will allow those who meet the rules to take…
Focus on tax year-end planning
With Christmas and New Year behind us, tax year-end planning should now be on your radar. The 2021/22 tax year will end on Tuesday 5 April. This year there is no Spring Budget and Easter…
Changes afoot for Basis period tax rules
Although it looks like the next Budget will be pushed back to spring 2022, several tax changes are already on the cards, some more certain than others. The government’s fast progress with reform of the…