HMRC stats show sharp rise in people breaching pension tax limits

Chancellor felt ‘forced’ to act as number of people caught increased

Jenna Brown
clock • 5 min read

The number of people who have been caught by the annual allowance (AA) and lifetime allowance (LTA) limits on pension tax relief rose sharply in 2021/22, according to analysis of latest HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) statistics.

Pension consultant LCP said the increase was part of the reason the chancellor "felt forced" to relax the rules considerably in the March 2023 Budget. The LTA was scrapped altogether during that speech. Latest figures showed for the AA - which remained at £40,000 in 2021/22 but could be reduced to as little as £4,000 for the highest earners - there was an increase in both individual reports through tax returns and via scheme pays. LCP explained the scheme pays option, where typically a defined benefit scheme pays the AA charge in return for a lower pension, increased from 17,280 to 49...

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

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
Pension transfer times hit 10-day mark in early 2026

Pension transfer times hit 10-day mark in early 2026

First time since September 2024

Sophia Panayi
clock 26 May 2026 • 1 min read
MoneyHelper pension dashboard expected to launch in 2027/28

MoneyHelper pension dashboard expected to launch in 2027/28

Maps CEO says ‘significant’ progress has been made since schemes began connecting to ecosystem

Martin Richmond
clock 21 May 2026 • 2 min read