The case for a flat rate of tax relief on pension contributions

For several years the government has been urged to reform the perceived inequality of the pension tax relief system. Under current legislation, greater benefit is given to high earners, with campaigners arguing this is unfair and does little to encourage longterm saving among lower earners.

According to the Pensions Policy Institute’s Pension Facts July 2018, in 2014-15 those earning £45,000 or more received 59% of the total tax relief.

A further report by the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA), Venturing to Retire, showed that higher and additional rate taxpayers received 68% of tax relief in 2016-17, despite only making up 25% of taxpayers claiming tax relief.

While higher earners receive 40% or 45% tax relief on the way in, they are likely to pay a significantly lower marginal rate when income is drawn.

Among other measures, the RSA suggests a flat rate of tax relief of 30%, a significant improvement for non and basic rate taxpayers and a reduction for higher and additional rate taxpayers. This, the RSA has calculated, would be fiscally neutral, but would provide the stimulus for lower earners to save more for their retirement.

The case against

A flat rate however is not without issues. Presently there are two main methods of making contributions. The first is ‘relief at source’ where pension contributions are paid from net pay. This would require a simple adjustment; all contributions would receive the new rate of tax relief rather than the current 20%.

Unlike now, higher and additional rate tax payers would be unable to claim additional relief via their annual tax return.

The second is ‘net pay’, which, rather confusingly, refers to contributions made from gross pay. This is where it gets a little more awkward. As contributions are paid from gross pay, relief is automatically obtained at the member’s highest marginal rate. In addition, the member may also benefit from a national insurance saving if the employer allows contributions to be made by ‘salary sacrifice’. Is the answer therefore to remove this option?

Doing so has a negative impact on those who benefit from net pay through salary sacrifice as the table below illustrates. These take the example of an employee making a £1,000 contribution. Under net pay, the full £1,000 is paid into the pension and the effective cost to the employee varies depending on their marginal rate of tax.