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Do you think it should be compulsory to pay into a pension?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=tP_mQrKIK8Y
A government think thank, Policy Exchange, have urged the government to make it compulsory that people save for their retirement. Their proposal the ‘Help to Save’ Scheme is aimed at avoiding 11 million people ending up in ‘Pension Poverty’. In a BBC article….
James Barty, author of the report, said the lack of people saving for their retirement was putting an “intolerable burden on the state” which “needs to be addressed sooner rather than later”.
He said: “With an ageing population, putting money aside for later life should be seen in the same context as National Insurance contributions, taxes and even education – an obligation that falls on everyone in society.
“‘Help to Save’ will prevent the state from having to pick up the tab for people who haven’t put aside enough money for later life.”
Under the plans, the opt-out in the Government’s auto-enrolment scheme would be removed making it obligatory for people to save for their retirement
Individual pension contributions would also increase as incomes rise over time.
According to the report, someone earning the average wage – £27,000 – will need to save over six and a half times more than they currently do to generate the Government’s recommended retirement income of £16,200.
The average pension pot is estimated to be just £36,800, which on current annuity rates is enough to generate a retirement income of £1,340.
The paper said that an average earner would need a pot of £240,000, assuming they receive the full single tier pension.
Are you saving enough for your retirement? should saving be compulsory?
steve@bicknells.net
Save for Children but save tax where you can
Many parents, grandparents and other family members like to save for children but are you paying tax on the interest?
The £100 Rule
HMRC Form R85 is used to claim interest tax free but what you might not realise is that despite your child having a personal tax allowance from birth there is a maximum of £100 per year which can earned tax free in interest and dividends earned on parental/family gifts.
So for 2 parents that’s £200 plus grandparents have the same exemption, but if the interest exceeds the limit even by a small amount, the exemption is lost and whole amount of interest becomes taxable.
Junior ISA
Children can have an ISA in their name, the maximum annual contribution limit is £3,720 (2013/14) in cash or shares but the money will be locked in until the child is 18. The £100 rule doesn’t apply to ISA’s.
Pension
Yes, crazy as it might sound your baby can start a pension plan.
You can receive 20% tax relief even if you don’t pay tax. The maximum you can contribute is £3,600 gross – a payment of £2,880 to which the taxman adds £720. This is the case even for people who don’t pay tax, such as children and non-earning spouses.
steve@bicknells.net
Business Accountant 