What triggers the Money Purchase Annual Allowance (MPAA)?
Learn what the MPAA is, how it works, and what triggers it.
Taking a pension income may trigger the MPAA, which reduces the amount you can contribute to your pension each year.
What is the MPAA?
The MPAA (Money Purchase Annual Allowance) is a reduction in the amount you can contribute to your pension each year.
Once you have begun to withdraw a taxable income from your pension, you may trigger the MPAA. The maximum amount you can contribute to your pension is reduced to the lower of £10,000 gross per tax year and your annual income (down from the usual £60,000 annual allowance).Â
What are the MPAA rules and how does it work?
The MPAA is triggered when you withdraw income from a defined contribution pension scheme, not including any tax-free lump sums you are entitled to.
It is designed to limit the amount you can benefit from tax relief after retirement. If you exceed the MPAA, you may face a tax charge.
How can I retain my current annual allowance?
It is important to note that the MPAA is not triggered in all circumstances where you access your pension. You will not trigger the MPAA if you:
- Take up to 25% of your pension as a tax-free lump sum.
- Take your tax-free lump sum and buy a lifetime annuity (that can stay level or increase)
- Receive benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme.
Money Purchase Annual Allowance FAQs
Learn more about your pension options
Learn how to make the most out of your pension with our useful guides.
Please remember, SIPPs are aimed at people happy to make their own investment decisions. Investment value can go up or down and you could get back less than you invest. You can normally only access the money from age 55 (57 from 2028). We recommend seeking advice from a suitably qualified financial advisor before making any decisions. Pension and tax rules depend on your circumstances and may change in future.Â