RPSM05101510 - Technical Pages: Contributions and tax relief: Member contributions: Refunds of contributions

Circumstances where a refund of contributions can be paid

There are three circumstances where the contributions a member has made to a registered pension scheme may be refunded back to them.

A member may have a refund of the contributions they have made to an occupational pension scheme (less any amount used to ‘buy-back’ the member into the State Second Pension) where they have left pensionable service within two years of joining. This is called a short service refund lump sum. More information on this payment can be found at RPSM05101520 to RPSM05101530.

Where a member has paid relievable pension contributions in a tax year of more than the maximum amount that can receive tax relief (see RPSM05101120) the amount of contributions that cannot receive tax relief may be repaid to the member. This is called a refund of excess contributions lump sum. Further information can be found at RPSM05101540 to RPSM05101550.

Where a member would be liable to the special annual allowance charge on their contributions a refund of contributions may be paid. Pages RPSM15108000 to RPSM15108140 set out the details for this type of refund of contributions.