Drawdown pension tables

Tables and instructions to work out the ‘basis amount’ for calculating the maximum income from drawdown pension funds and, before 6 April 2011, unsecured pension funds and alternatively secured pension funds.

There are two sets of drawdown pension tables. The drawdown pension table you use depends on when the reference period for the drawdown pension or unsecured pension started and, for those aged 75 or over, when the drawdown pension year or, before 6 April 2011, alternatively secured pension year started.

If after reading the guidance you have a question about how to use these tables contact HM Revenue & Customs via the Pensions Helpline on Tel 0845 600 2622. Do not contact GAD.

When you must use the 2011 tables

When you must use the 2006 tables

When you can use either the 2006 or the 2011 tables

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When you must use the 2011 tables

You must use the 2011 tables when calculating the basis amount:

for reference periods beginning on or after 6 June 2011
on a recalculation if there has been an annuity purchase, additional fund designation or pension sharing order effective on or after 6 June 2011
for drawdown pension years after the member or dependant has reached their 75th birthday beginning on or after 6 June 2011
for drawdown pension years for members or dependants who have reached their 76th birthday beginning on or after 6 April 2011

Please note: using the 60 day valuation window (as described at RPSM09102440, RPSM09103550 and RPSM09103560) cannot change the date of the next reference period.

Instructions on how to use the 2011 tables (PDF 63K)

2011 Drawdown pension tables (XLS 106K)

These tables should be used in conjunction with the guidance in the relevant pages of the Registered Pensions Schemes Manual. For guidance on:

drawdown pensions see RPSM09103500
dependants’ drawdown pension see RPSM10104850

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When you must use the 2006 tables

You must use the 2006 tables when calculating the basis amount:

for reference periods for unsecured pensions beginning before 6 April 2011
for alternatively secured pension years beginning before 6 April 2011
on a recalculation if there has been an annuity purchase, additional fund designation or pension sharing order effective before 6 April 2011

Please note: using the 60 day valuation window (as described at RPSM09102440, RPSM09103550 and RPSM09103560) cannot change the date of the next reference period.

Instructions on how to use the 2006 tables (PDF 541K)

2006 Drawdown pension tables (XLS 83K)

These tables should be used in conjunction with the guidance in the relevant pages of the Registered Pensions Schemes Manual. For guidance on:

unsecured pensions see RPSM09102000
alternatively secured pension see RPSM09103000
dependants’ unsecured pension see RPSM10104400
dependants’ alternatively secured pensions see RPSM10104700

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When you can use either the 2006 or the 2011 tables

You may use either the 2006 tables or the 2011 tables when calculating the basis amount:

for reference periods beginning after 5 April 2011 but before 6 June 2011
on a recalculation if there has been an annuity purchase, additional fund designation or pension sharing order effective after 5 April 2011 but before 6 June 2011
for drawdown pension years after the member or dependant has reached their 75th birthday beginning after 5 April 2011 but before 6 June 2011

Please note: using the 60 day valuation window (as described at RPSM09102440, RPSM09103550 and RPSM09103560) cannot change the date of the next reference period.

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