Pensioners

Updated on 6 April 2023

This section is for you if you are thinking about taking money out of your pension, approaching retirement or are a pensioner on a low income.

Illustration of a group of pensioners

If you are thinking about taking money out of your pension, already a pensioner, or are coming up to retirement, you may have to deal with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), as they assess and collect tax and pay out tax credits and some other benefits.

HMRC do not always get things right, so it is important for you to check the tax you pay on your income. You may also need to contact HMRC if you do not understand something or if you disagree with them.

If you want to understand the meaning of some of the words and phrases used in connection with pensions, try our pension jargon buster.

What information and help can I find in this section?

We encourage you to try to check your tax and solve problems for yourself. It is easier and cheaper in the long run if you can understand and manage your own tax affairs.

We help you to do this by providing information on:

For information on the scope of the help that you can expect to find in this section, please see the About Us page.

Information about what happens to pensions when you die can be found in our bereavement section.

What do I do if I am not happy with an HMRC decision?

HMRC manage the UK tax system. You can find their contact details on GOV.UK.

If you do not agree with a decision of HMRC, find out what action you can take on our tax appeals page.

If you are unhappy with the way in which you have been treated by HMRC, you may be able to make a complaint.

What is Tax Help for Older People?

Some years ago, LITRG founded a separate charity, Tax Help for Older People, to give free tax assistance to older people on low incomes.

So, if you cannot solve your own problem by reading through our website or asking HMRC, you could try telephoning the Tax Help for Older People helpline if you are over 60 and not self-employed. If you are self-employed, contact TaxAid instead.

Where can I get more help?

General tax

If you want general tax help, visit our tax basics section.

Capital gains tax

If you want help with capital gains tax, visit our other tax issues section.

Inheritance tax

If you want help with inheritance tax, visit our bereavement section.

State benefits

If you are claiming any state benefits, visit our tax credits and benefits section.

Employees

If you are a pensioner, but also an employee, visit our employment section.

Self-employment

If you are a pensioner, but are also self-employed, visit our self-employment section.

Third-party organisations

Find out where to get help from third party organisations in our Getting Help section.

Tax guides

Introduction to the tax system How do I work out my tax? What income is taxable? What tax allowances am I entitled to? What tax rates apply to me? How is my tax collected? What if I cannot pay my tax bill? Do I need to complete a tax return? Self Assessment: understanding the basics What is Simple Assessment? How do I claim tax back? How do I claim back tax I have overpaid through PAYE on wages or pensions? How do I claim back tax if I complete a tax return? How do I claim back tax if I am taxed under the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS)? How do I claim back tax on savings income? How do I claim a marriage allowance refund? How do I claim back tax on a payment protection insurance (PPI) pay-out? Should I use a tax refund company? What is National Insurance? How do I get a National Insurance number? What are Specified Adult Childcare credits? What is Scottish income tax? What is devolution? Do I have to pay Scottish income tax? How does Scottish income tax work? What is Welsh income tax? Do I have to pay Welsh income tax? Do I have to join a pension scheme? Tax relief on your pension contributions HMRC digital services Enquiries, penalties, appeals, complaints and debt Enquiries How to survive an enquiry by HMRC Tax penalties Tax appeals Alternative Dispute Resolution How do I complain to HMRC? What if I cannot pay my tax bill? What if I have a tax credits overpayment?

Am I employed, self-employed, both or neither? Working through a limited company What is the national minimum wage? How do I work out my tax? What income is taxable? What tax allowances am I entitled to? What tax rates apply to me? How is my tax collected? How is tax collected on taxable state benefits? How do I check my coding notice? Do I need to complete a tax return? What tax do I pay on redundancy payments?Employment benefits and expenses What are benefits-in-kind? What payments and benefits are non taxable? What if I incur expenses in relation to my job? What travel expenses can I claim? What if I use my own car for business purposes? Payroll giving Allowances and expenses paid to armed forces personnel and deductions from their income Pensions and employees What is automatic enrolment for employees? What National Insurance do I pay as an employee? How do I repay my student loan? What if I do not pay enough tax? What if I pay too much tax? What if I work abroad temporarily? What if I am in the armed forces and work overseas? First time workers Apprenticeships

Am I employed, self-employed, both, or neither? How do I register for tax and National Insurance? What business records should I keep? Working out profits, losses and capital allowances When do I make Self Assessment payments and file my tax return? How do I pay tax on self-employed income? What tax allowances am I entitled to? What is the trading allowance? What National Insurance do I pay if I am self-employed? What is the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS)? Tax checks for taxi, private hire and scrap metal licences How do I work out my profits for universal credit? Do I have to pay VAT if I am self-employed? What is Making Tax Digital for VAT? Pensions and self-employment How do I repay my student loan if I am self-employed? Introduction to enquiries

Tax status Setting things up How the Pay As You Earn system works Taking on a new employee Reporting PAYE in real time Pay and deductions Ongoing payroll tasks End of year processes Employee leaving Employment law Keeping records Getting things wrong Getting more help

Can I live and work in the UK? Residence and Domicile Employment and self-employment National Insurance for migrants Coming to the UK to study Other migrant issues EU and EEA countries

Going abroad Other income Student loans Types of student Volunteering and training Working Do students have to pay council tax? Glossary of Forms Jargon buster Where can I get further help and information?

Help for employees and the self-employed Help for employers Independent living Caring for someone VAT reliefs for disabled and older people Trusts for disabled people Apprenticeships and disability

Savings and tax Property income Council tax and rates Giving to charity Income from a trust or from the estate of a deceased person Capital gains tax Cryptoassets and tax Do I need to register my trust?

Tax credits and benefits Tax credits State benefits Child benefit Universal credit

Employer-supported childcare Free childcare places Tax credits childcare support Universal credit Other childcare support Tax-free childcare

Taxes on death: overview Dealing with the deceased's own tax affairs Tax on income and gains after death Death of a spouse or civil partner Joint property on death Pension and life assurance policies on death Income from a deceased's person's estate Inheritance tax reliefs and exemptions State benefits on death Getting help with bereavement and inheritance tax Bereavement jargon buster

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