Pensions tax: where are we now?

In the ten years since the introduction of ‘A-day’, we have seen 13 separate changes to the pensions annual and lifetime allowances and a radical overhaul of the tax rules that apply to defined contribution pensions when an individual accesses them and on death. Further changes are due to take effect soon: F(No.2)A 2015 introduces a so-called ‘tapered annual allowance’ for higher earners with effect from April 2016; and the draft Finance Bill 2016 makes a further reduction in the lifetime allowance from the same date. There will be two forms of transitional protection available. With further changes expected in the March Budget, the pensions tax system could soon be unrecognisable.