PSI10.1.7 - Retirement before Normal Retirement Date: General - Limit On Benefits-Post-FA 1989 Discretionary Basis


(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)

[PN6.1]

As explained in PSI9.1.1, changes in discretionary practice linked to the statutory changes introduced by Finance Act 1989 have simplified our requirements in relation to retirement before or after the scheme NRD in order to recognise the concept of retirement at any time between the ages of 50 and 75.

For Finance Act 1989 members of schemes approved on or after 27 July 1989 the maximum total benefits approvable on retirement at any time after age 50 is N/30ths of final remuneration (subject to the permitted maximum (see PSI6.4.7-11)) for each year of service up to a maximum of 20/30ths, provided this does not exceed 2/3rds of final remuneration when aggregated with retained benefits (see PSI6.5.51-69).

The maximum approvable lump sum retirement benefit on retirement at any time after age 50 is the greater of 3/80ths of final remuneration (subject to the permitted maximum) for each year of service (up to 40 years) (see PSI8.1.21) and an amount equal to 2.25 times the initial annual rate of pension to be paid (see PSI8.1.25).

The pension and lump sum limits are modified (see PSI10.1.31) where a member’s benefit entitlement in the scheme is

  • permanently reduced by a pension sharing on divorce order (see PSI3.5.4), and
  • the pension debit must be taken into account for Revenue limits purposes (see PSI6.5.89).