How to Save Tax When Taking Your Pension Income A Complete Guide to Crystallisation

Nearly 300 savers faced tax bills of £98,000 or more on their retirement pots last year after withdrawing substantial pensions in one go. Data from Standard Life reveals that 292 individuals fully withdrew pension pots of £250,000 or more between October 2023 and March 2024, triggering minimum tax bills of £98,700 each. An additional 1,600 people cashed in pots worth between £100,000 and £249,000, incurring tax charges of at least £27,400.

Research conducted for The Sunday Times by AJ Bell demonstrates that pension savers could pay more than double the necessary tax on their retirement income simply by choosing less tax-efficient withdrawal methods. With mounting speculation about potential pension tax reforms, understanding how to maximise tax efficiency has never been more crucial.

The concept of crystallisation offers a strategic approach to pension withdrawals. By crystallising your pension pot gradually, 25% of each withdrawal can be tax-free. This method proves particularly effective when combined with the personal allowance of £12,570, potentially reducing your overall tax burden significantly.

Consider a scenario where you need £25,000 annual income from your pension. Without previously using your tax-free lump sum allowance, crystallising this amount would make the first £6,250 tax-free. If this represents your sole income, the next £12,570 would also avoid taxation due to your personal allowance. This approach results in only £6,180 being subject to tax at the basic rate of 20%, yielding a modest tax bill of £1,236.

The benefits of gradual crystallisation extend beyond immediate tax savings. A £100,000 pension pot left to grow at 5% annually for five years could increase to £102,102, with 25% remaining tax-free. This strategy could boost your overall tax-free cash potential significantly compared to taking the entire tax-free portion upfront.

The impending changes to inheritance tax rules from 2027 add another dimension to pension planning. Current rules exempt most pension pots from inheritance tax, but this is set to change. Savers must now balance the choice between paying 20% income tax today versus potential 40% inheritance tax exposure in the future.