Pensions and retirement income are synonymous with one another. The first thing most people will think about when considering their income in retirement will be their pension. But with the new pension freedoms it isn’t necessarily the first place they should turn to when deciding where to draw their retirement income from. It is now time to start thinking of savings collectively rather than as separate individual pots.

People with savings across a variety of wrappers (wrappers are tax breaks that an investor can ‘wrap’ around their investment) need to consider the best way to access these to meet their income needs in retirement. The familiar scenario of using the pension to provide income needs and other savings earmarked for other purposes, perhaps as a future inheritance for the kids or as a rainy day fund, requires a rethink. It’s important to look at the long term goal when deciding which investment to take income from in retirement.

Getting as much in by utilising the reliefs available, and paying less tax by maximising the use of available allowances, can mean that savings are preserved for longer. This will generally result in a more sustainable income stream and it can also lead to a potentially greater inheritance for your family.

Tax efficient income
It pays to make use of the available tax allowances when structuring retirement income. Up to £26,700 of income and capital gains can be taken tax free this year. For a retired couple that’s £53,400 a year without a penny in tax. The personal income tax allowance increased to £10,600 from April 2015. In addition, it is now possible to take a further £5,000 savings income tax free. Then, of course, there’s the annual CGT exemption which stands at £11,100. The order in which funds are withdrawn in retirement can have significant impact on the tax allowances available and ultimately how much tax is payable. For example, the £5,000 tax-free savings rate band is lost if income from pensions exceeds £15,600. Limiting the amount of tax paid on retirement income is one part of the equation. In some cases there may be more than one way to obtain a tax efficient retirement income from the funds available.

Providing a legacy
This is where attention should turn to securing the greatest inheritable legacy for future generations. It may be a choice between withdrawing funds from an investment which is outside the IHT (inheritance tax) net and one on which would potentially attract a 40% tax charge on death. And an income solution which limits both the tax paid on the withdrawal and preserves the greatest inheritance will be the clear winner. This isn’t a one-off retirement income decision. To get the balance right demands an annual review of income needs. As a rule of thumb the order to withdraw funds will be the reverse order to the optimum way in which they are accumulated – last in first out. Using that philosophy means tax privileged savings are retained for the longest period and potentially preserves the greatest inheritance.

1a. Offshore bonds
Gains from offshore bonds are treated as savings income. For someone who has no earned income (including pension income) gains of up to £15,600 can be withdrawn without incurring an income tax charge. So it makes sense to strip out offshore bond gains before starting to take pension income especially if the gains can be kept within the new tax free starting rate band. In addition offshore bonds will typically form part of the estate on death. Using these funds for income in retirement could reduce the potential IHT for those people with estates in excess of their available nil rate band.

1b. Unit trusts/OEICs
Using withdrawals from a unit trust or OEIC to meet retirement income needs will result in a capital gain rather than an income tax liability. If the gain can be managed within the £11,100 annual CGT allowance then withdrawals will be tax free. Gains in excess of the allowance will be taxed at either 18% (if they fall within the basic rate tax band) or 28% if above the threshold. Unit trusts and OEICs will also form part of the estate. Again withdrawing funds from these could potentially reduce how much IHT is due upon the estate.

2. ISAs
Keeping savings in a tax friendly wrapper such as an ISA makes sense. So typically it will be worth withdrawing other taxed funds up to the available allowances before touching the ISA. But those concerned about leaving a legacy for their loved ones will need to remember that the ISA will form part of their estate for inheritance tax.

3. Pensions
The new pension freedoms have turned conventional retirement income planning on its head. No longer should pension savings be the first thing you turn to for providing your income in retirement. Anybody with other savings in addition to their pension may be advised to withdraw income from other sources first and leave their pension until last. The funds within the pension enjoy the same tax free gross roll up as the ISA. But, unlike other investments, pension savings are generally free of IHT. And the new death benefit rules provide greater choice on who and how pension wealth can be inherited. The taxation of pension death benefits has changed for the better too. If a person dies pre 75 their pension can be passed on tax free. Post 75 their beneficiary will be able to draw an income which will be taxed at their marginal rate.

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Summary
Having a range of different investment wrappers will increase the scope to utilise the tax free allowances. But that doesn’t necessarily mean spreading savings across wrappers is always the right thing to do. Paying little or no tax on savings is appealing but a pension contribution with tax relief and 25% tax free cash could still provide more in your pocket even after paying some tax on the income. Pensions now enjoy such a privileged tax status that they should now be the first choice for life savings and the thing to keep hold of longest in retirement. The advantage they now hold over other investments means that it is worth considering wherever possible moving your other savings into your pension in the run up to retirement.

NB. Tax benefits may vary as a result of statutory change and their value will depend on individual circumstances.

This is for your general information and use only and is not intended to address your particular requirements. It should not be relied upon in its entirety and shall not be deemed to be, or constitute, advice. For financial advice regarding your particular circumstances please contact John Tamblin.