Spring Budget 2021: Sunak freezes lifetime allowance

Spring Budget 2021

Jenna Brown
clock • 3 min read

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has frozen the lifetime allowance (LTA) for pension contributions at just over £1m for the remainder of this Parliament.

The Chancellor said the LTA would remain at its current level of £1,073,100 for 2020/21 rather than increasing in line with inflation. It had been expected to rise by £5,800 in 2021/22, in line with 0.5% Consumer Prices Index.  The IHT threshold will also be held at current levels until April 2026. In a widely predicted move - it was leaked last week - the freeze is estimated to net the Treasury an additional £250m in tax.  If the lifetime allowance rose alongside inflation it would increase by a further £88,900 by the end of the current parliament. It is thought medium to high ...

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

'Moderate' retirement living standards out of reach for majority as savers face 'cliff-edge'

'Moderate' retirement living standards out of reach for majority as savers face 'cliff-edge'

Costs of minimum, moderate and comfortable retirement lifestyles have all risen

Holly Roach
clock 03 June 2026 • 4 min read
Salary sacrifice changes to see 2.8 million cut back pension saving

Salary sacrifice changes to see 2.8 million cut back pension saving

According to Freedom of Information request to HMRC

Sophia Panayi
clock 01 June 2026 • 2 min read
Beyond the numbers: Understanding clients' emotional journey into retirement

Beyond the numbers: Understanding clients' emotional journey into retirement

'Supporting clients through the transition into retirement requires far more than technical financial expertise alone'

Catherine Foot
clock 29 May 2026 • 5 min read