Flexible drawdown.

We offer Flexible Drawdown on all of our SIPP and SSAS plans.

Unlike Capped Drawdown – which aims to ensure retirement funds are not prematurely exhausted - Flexible Drawdown allows your client to draw upon their fund without restriction.

Flexible Drawdown is dependent upon your client securing sufficient income, known as the Minimum Income Requirement (MIR), which is subject to certain conditions.

The MIR must be a secure pension income for life and can include:

• Basic and Secondary State Pension
• Lifetime Annuity resulting from benefits from a Registered Pension Scheme
• RPI-linked annuities
• Scheme Pension from either a UK Registered Pension Scheme or non UK relevant scheme
• Overseas pension payment equivalent to a lifetime annuity or Scheme Pension

Alternative income such as interest, rents and dividends, or investment-linked annuities without a guarantee, are not classed as acceptable income.

The MIR is set at £20,000 per annum and will be reviewed by HM Treasury at least every 5 years.

If the MIR is met, your client may withdraw sums from their plan at levels and times to suit their circumstances. They will pay income tax at their marginal rate on the payments received.

Protected Rights funds are now able to be used to satisfy the MIR for Flexible Drawdown, from April 2012.

Please note: If your client has made any contributions within the tax year, they will not be able to take Flexible Drawdown until the following tax year.

For treatment of funds on death, please see Death benefits.