InvestAcc Pension Administration

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Taking Tax-Free Cash before the Budget

We have seen a large increase in requests to access pension pots before the Budget, which falls on 30th October 2024.

This seems to be as a result of speculation about what might be announced in the Budget, particularly around tax-free lump sums from pensions.

These stories often precede a Budget, and whilst we have no advance knowledge of any potential changes this time around, our administration teams are coming under a lot of pressure due to a spike in the volume of requests.

As a result, it is now taking up to 4 weeks to pay Tax-Free Cash, also known as Pension Commencement Lump Sums (PCLS), from our SIPPs.

Although many payments will not be received before the Budget, under current rules the crystallisation date will be based on the date of receipt of a fully completed request for payment, with payment expected to follow within 4 weeks, assuming that asset values are up to date and that there is sufficient cash to pay the requested amount.

October 18th, 2024