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The Daily Insight

Can I take 25 of my pension tax free at 55?

Author

Caleb Butler

Updated on March 31, 2026

When you can take pension tax-free cash You can normally access your pension from age 55 (57 from 2028). If you have a defined contribution pension (like a self-invested personal pension), up to 25% can usually be paid to you completely tax free, and the rest will be taxed as income.

Can I take 25 of my state pension at 55?

This is all about how you use your pension savings. As always you can take a quarter of it as a tax-free lump sum. It means anyone aged 55 and over can take the whole amount as a lump sum, paying no tax on the first 25% and the rest taxed as if it were a salary at their income tax rate.

How much of my pension can I take at 55 tax free?

25%
Taking cash at 55. Many pensions allow you, from the age of 55, to take up to 25% of your savings as tax-free cash.

What percentage of my pension can I take at 55?

Most personal pensions set an age when you can start taking money from them. It’s not normally before 55. Contact your pension provider if you’re not sure when you can take your pension. You can take up to 25% of the money built up in your pension as a tax-free lump sum.

How much of my pension can I take at 55 tax-free?

Do you get 25 of your pension tax free?

You can usually take up to 25% of the amount built up in any pension as a tax-free lump sum. The tax-free lump sum doesn’t affect your Personal Allowance. Tax is taken off the remaining amount before you get it.

Taking cash at 55. Many pensions allow you, from the age of 55, to take up to 25% of your savings as tax-free cash.

When can I take 25 percent of my pension?

It’s not normally before 55. Contact your pension provider if you’re not sure when you can take your pension. You can take up to 25% of the money built up in your pension as a tax-free lump sum. You’ll then have 6 months to start taking the remaining 75%, which you’ll usually pay tax on.

At what age can I take 25 of my pension tax free?

age 55
When you can take pension tax-free cash You can normally access your pension from age 55 (57 from 2028). If you have a defined contribution pension (like a self-invested personal pension), up to 25% can usually be paid to you completely tax free, and the rest will be taxed as income.

Can you take 25 of your pension and leave the rest invested?

Take some of it as cash and leave the rest invested Taking money out of your pension is known as a drawdown. 25% of your pension pot can be withdrawn tax-free, but you’ll need to pay income tax on the rest. The key difference is that you’ll pay tax on 75% of the income, and the remaining amount will remain invested.

When can I take my 25 tax free lump sum?

Can I take 25 of my pension and leave the rest invested?

Take some of it as cash and leave the rest invested 25% of your pension pot can be withdrawn tax-free, but you’ll need to pay income tax on the rest. You can choose whether to withdraw the full tax-free part in one go or over time.

What are the different types of tax free allowances?

Tax-free allowances reduce the amount of tax you have to pay on income you receive. There are two types: In this guide, we explain the main tax allowances and thresholds – from the £11,850 you can earn tax-free, to the tax-free dividend allowance if you hold shares or funds.

How much tax free income do older people get?

Most people have an annual personal allowance, which is an amount of income they can keep tax free. In 2021-22, this is £12,570, up from £12,500 in 2020-21. Older people used to be eligible for a larger tax-free allowance, but this changed in 2016.

Can you get more than 25% tax free?

If you find that you do have more than a 25% tax-free lump sum entitlement then your retirement income options may be a little more restricted, so our specialists will need to discuss some important considerations with you.

Is the age related tax allowance still in effect?

Which? explains how your tax bill may fall in retirement, even though the age-related allowance ended in 2016. Older people used to be eligible for a higher tax-free allowance. That’s no longer the case – but there are still va We use cookies to allow us and selected partners to improve your experience and our advertising.