Government overtaxes pensioners further £30m in Q4 2018

£400m overpaid since 2015

Hannah Godfrey
clock • 1 min read

The government has returned some £30m to savers who were overtaxed on pension freedom withdrawals during the final three months of 2018, according to the latest data from the taxman.

Since the introduction of the pension freedoms in April 2015, more than £400m has been overpaid in tax and since reclaimed. The average amount reclaimed is £2,312. AJ Bell senior analyst Tom Selby said the overtaxing had gone on for four years, arguing HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) "steadfastly refuses" properly to review its approach. "HMRC's insistence on applying emergency tax to hard-working savers' first pension freedoms withdrawals continues to harm those who access their own money flexibly," he added. "What these figures do not capture is those who don't fill out the forms. Gi...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Retirement

Defensive income before retirement: A four layered framework

Defensive income before retirement: A four layered framework

Entering decumulation can be an unsettling time for clients

Joe Simpson
clock 10 August 2026 • 4 min read
The FCA's decumulation challenge: Can UK REITs help deliver sustainable retirement income?

The FCA's decumulation challenge: Can UK REITs help deliver sustainable retirement income?

A look at the three Ss of retirement income

James Peel
clock 04 August 2026 • 7 min read
What the decumulation shift means for advice firms, and how the best are responding

What the decumulation shift means for advice firms, and how the best are responding

'Technology is part of this picture in ways that are worth being honest about'

Andy Zanelli
clock 14 July 2026 • 4 min read