PSI5.2.17 - Contributions by Employers: Ordinary Annual Contributions - Commitment to Regular Contributions - Small Self-Administered Schemes


(This archived guidance relates to HMRC discretionary practice before the 6th April 2006. For current guidance on Registered Pension Schemes see the Registered Pension Schemes Manual)

With small self-administered schemes the actuary often recommends payment of a particular amount of contribution. This recommendation does not fix the OAC unless the employer actually pays the recommended amount each year. For example:

An actuary recommends payment of regular contributions of £40,000. But the actual contributions paid are:

Year 1£100,000
Year 2£100,000
Year 3£100,000
Year 4£700,000

The aggregate contributions are the same as if the company had followed the actuary's advice throughout the period. Nevertheless the payment pattern shows that the OAC is £100,000. The balance of the year 4 contribution, £600,000, should be treated as a special contribution and spread for tax relief purposes accordingly (see Section 3 of this Part).