Ask the Experts: Should I take a ‘crystallised’ lump sum from my pension?
One of our experts answers a reader's question.
9th August 2017 08:44
by Patrick Connolly from interactive investor
Q
“I have just received my 2017 annual benefit statement from the Local Government Pension Scheme – my pension is payable from 9 August 2038. The pensions administrator included the following paragraph:
“There is also an option to convert some of your pension to retiring allowance at a ratio of £1 to £12, provided that the total lump sum does not exceed 25% of the value of the pension benefits being drawn (crystallised).” My pension benefits summary shows an annual pension before tax or other deductions of £9,494 and a lump sum of £15,892.
I just don’t understand what that paragraph means, particularly the word ‘crystallised’. Would it be beneficial to me?
”
From: HA/Letchworth
A
You are fortunate to be a member of such a good quality pension scheme, which has guaranteed benefits that would be very expensive to match with a private pension.
Your pension will provide you with a guaranteed level of income. However, you also have the option to give up part of your pension income in exchange for receiving a one-off, tax-free lump sum. This is what the paragraph containing your quote is referring to.
- Retired household incomes continue to rise
If you decide to take a tax-free lump sum, for each £12 you receive your annual pension income will be reduced by £1. So, as a simple example, if your pension income was £100 each year and you decided to take a tax-free lump sum of £12, then your pension would be reduced to £99 each year.
- Learn more: What is a SIPP | SIPP Drawdown | SIPP Tax Relief Explained
There is a limit to how much tax-free cash you can take, which is determined by HM Revenue & Custom rules.
The word ‘crystallised’ just refers to when you start taking pension benefits. The amount which is crystallised is the amount of your pension used to start paying your pension income plus any amount used to pay you a tax-free lump sum..
- Even in your 40s, you can start saving for a £100,000 pension
Defined benefit pension schemes, such as yours, are valuable but also can be very complicated. The right decision for you will depend on your own personal circumstances. If you’re not sure what to do when it comes time to take your pension benefits, then you should take independent financial advice.
Patrick Connolly is a certified financial planner at Chase de Vere.
This article was originally published in our sister magazine Moneywise, which ceased publication in August 2020.
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