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Posted by Jim McClaflin, EA, NTPI Fellow, CTRC

Understanding the System of Protecting Private Pension Benefits

Understanding the System of Protecting Private Pension Benefits

Personal / private pension refers to the kind of pension you can set up to enable proper savings for retirement. The value of this pension is based on the amount of money you pay in and the way your investments perform. A private pension is also known as a “Personal Pension,” which you can maximize to save some money from retirement. 


There are defined contribution pensions that allow the money you get at retirement to be based on the funds you pay into your retirement investments. 


A private pension is akin to a workplace pension, but with this one, in particular, the pension is set up by himself (the boss). You can also ensure the account gets a regular contribution like monthly payments or a one-off payment into the pension fund while your pension provider adds tax relief. 

The funds you put in your pension system will be invested in different assets from property to bonds, cash shares, etc. So when your pension begins, you will get a variety of pension funds to choose from, which will be determined by the amount of risk you can take. 


Anyone who has gone through this process turns 55 years of age can take the lump sum of the private pension and buy an annuity with it. They can also decide to leave it as it is invested and only collect cash when they withdraw. 

Did you know that you also get tax relief from your private pension? Yes, you do, and it happens when the provider immediately claims this as introductory rates and then adds it to the pension collection. 


You will receive about 25% on the contributions you make, and this means if you pay $134.00 for your pension, you will get $33.00, which amounts to $169.00. 

Some higher taxpayers can get 25% and 31% through self-assessment tax returns. For instance, in 2021/2022, it will be possible to get tax relief from your pension contributions which can be up to 100% of your earnings or even up to $53,792. 


The idea of a private and workplace pension is already a great way of saving money for retirement, and it can boost the income you get from the State. However, even if you don’t have a workplace pension agreement, you can create one that will become a private pension plan. Then if you were laid away from your company’s pension scheme, you could get one for yourself as it is a good move towards saving for your future. 

Some of the benefits of private pension include: 


  • Flexibility with contributions

  • Anybody can contribute (working or staying at home)

  • Assured retirement income

  • Compound interests added to the pension contribution 

  • A personalized pension experience.

  • A secure income you can rely on for a particular period in your life. 


Pension experts will advise not to focus solely on one form of pension and do your best to save with your workplace and private options. If your employer contributes, then go ahead and add your contribution to the fund. But you will essentially be in charge of your pension and dictate how you want the contributions to go. 


Your risk at this point is just with the choice of investments where the money for private pension investment will be placed, but one thing is sure, when you eventually retire, you will be glad you made the savings happen. A private pension is becoming trendy, and this article has provided insights into how you can understand the system. Are you ready to go all the way with your pension contribution? You should be prepared, and when it's time, remember the private/personal pension.


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Jim McClaflin, EA, NTPI Fellow, CTRC
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