HMRC figures show plunging pension freedom withdrawals

18% year-on-year decrease

clock • 2 min read

A total of 340,000 people withdrew £2.3bn in flexible payments from their pensions in the second quarter of 2020, according to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

Figures released this morning (31 July) showed an 18% decrease year-on-year from the £2.8bn in withdrawals seen in Q2 2019. The July 2020 flexible payments from pensions statistics also showed a 1% increase in the number of people withdrawing cash compared to the same period in 2019. The average value of each withdrawal has decreased by 18% to £6,700 from £8,200 compared to last year, however. Aegon pensions director Steven Cameron said savers remain at risk, with money withdrawn during a downturn representing a larger proportion of the pension pot. "That means the fund doesn't hav...

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 Pensions

Why commercial property is much more than a self-invested pension asset

Why commercial property is much more than a self-invested pension asset

'It's perfectly understandable that clients can become emotionally invested in a commercial property'

Caitlin Southall
clock 08 August 2025 • 4 min read
TPO lays out three-year roadmap to tackle rising demand

TPO lays out three-year roadmap to tackle rising demand

The Pensions Ombudsman reveals plan to tackle challenge of demand outstripping capacity

Jonathan Stapleton
clock 31 July 2025 • 3 min read
Andrew Tully: The time is right for far-reaching state pension debate

Andrew Tully: The time is right for far-reaching state pension debate

Essential we get cross-party support to any changes, rather than get involved in any political ping-pong'

Andrew Tully
clock 21 July 2025 • 4 min read