Your employer may offer what is called a “defined contribution” or “money purchase” scheme. If you are a member of a money purchase scheme, your employer may pay a specific amount into the pension for you, or they may contribute a percentage of your salary. You may also be required to make contributions yourself, depending on how the pension scheme is designed.
The payments will be put into an individual pension fund, as opposed to a collective pension fund, as is the case with a “final salary” scheme. When you retire, your pension will be based on the value of that fund. If the stock market has fallen and your fund falls in value, your employer is unlikely to make up the difference. Money purchase schemes are cheaper for the employer but have fewer guarantees for the employee. In an employer’s money purchase scheme, the investment grows tax-free, and contributions are eligible for tax relief. When you reach retirement, you can take a quarter of the proceeds as a tax-free lump sum with the remaining fund to be used to provide an income either through an annuity or income drawdown plan.
If you change jobs, your money purchase pension plan can be transferred to a new employer’s scheme; however, in many cases, it may be better to leave it to grow in the old scheme. Although you will not be contributing to the old scheme, it will continue to accumulate. It is always a good idea to take financial advice before considering transferring a pension.
You can also request contact details from the Pension Tracing Service by phone or by post.
The Pension Tracing Service
Telephone: 0800 1223 170
From outside the UK: +44 (0) 1782 389134
Monday to Friday, 9:30 am to 5:00 pm
Address
The Pension Tracing Service
The Lantern
High Street
Ilfracombe
EX34 9QB
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The Pension Tracing Service® is a trading style of Millennial Wealth Ltd. We are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA number 914746). Pinnacle House, 34 Newark Road, Peterborough, PE1 5YD. Registered company number 11557299.
Profile Pensions is a trading name of Profile Financial Solutions Ltd, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA number 596398). Registered office: Norwest Court, Guildhall Street, Preston, PR1 3NU.
This service is not affiliated with the Department for Work and Pensions or any government body. When you click to get started, you'll be taken to Profile Pensions to complete your sign-up and begin the Find, Check & Transfer service. Capital at risk: the value of investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you put in. Past performance is not a guide to future performance. Tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances and may change.
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