HMRC data shows pension freedoms over-taxation bill nears £1bn

Some £45m was repaid to individuals in the final quarter of 2022 alone

Jonathan Stapleton
clock • 2 min read

Savers have reclaimed £970m in over-taxation on pension withdrawals since 2015, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) data reveals.

In its January 2023 pension schemes newsletter, HMRC said more than £45m was repaid to 14,335 people overtaxed on pension withdrawals in October, November and December 2022. AJ Bell said its analysis showed this was the highest quarter four figure on record and third highest of any three-month period since April 2015. The investment platform provider said the average reclaim in Q4 2022 was £3,141, down slightly versus the previous quarter - something it said suggested more people are accessing smaller retirement pots. AJ Bell head of retirement policy Tom Selby said: "As surging in...

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

Editor's view: How disjointed is the government's salary sacrifice change?

Editor's view: How disjointed is the government's salary sacrifice change?

The editor's Friday Night Takeaway from 19 December

Jen Frost
clock 19 December 2025 • 3 min read
Pension reflections: Retirement's biggest moments of 2025

Pension reflections: Retirement's biggest moments of 2025

What can we expect to see for pensions next year?

Jenna Brown
clock 18 December 2025 • 15 min read
Women, wealth, and worry: How to close the retirement gender gap

Women, wealth, and worry: How to close the retirement gender gap

Julia Peake explores the retirement gender gap and suggests how it can be closed...

Julia Peake
clock 16 December 2025 • 4 min read