UK savers pulling cash from pensions ahead of budget, money managers say
05/11/2025 06:00
Six wealth managers say clients taking cash from pension pots Speculation about tax rises fuelling the trend, say managers UK finance minister warns of 'hard choices' in budget By Naomi Rovnick and Iain Withers LONDON, Nov 5 (Reuters) - British money managers are reporting a jump in people withdrawing cash from their pensions before this month's budget, amid fears for their tax advantages as the government warns it needs to make "hard choices" to prop up public finances. Six of 10 of Britain's big wealth managers, including Schroders SDR.L and Aberdeen ABDN.L, contacted by Reuters said they had seen increases in clients withdrawing tax-free lump-sums from pensions in recent months, citing budget fears. Private bank Arbuthnot Latham, which typically serves richer clients, told Reuters pre-budget anxiety had pushed withdrawals to record levels - up 300% by volume year-to-date compared with the whole of 2024. "This year has seen a huge increase in clients taking lump sums out relative to their financial needs," said Eren Osman, managing director of wealth management at Arbuthnot Latham. AJ Bell AJBA.L said the volume of requests to withdraw pension cash was three times higher in October and September versus the same period two years earlier. Most of the managers did not quantify the increase or clarify how this compared with past periods. Quilter QLT.L said the spike had been significant enough for it to have informed the government, but was not as large as in the run-up to the 2024 budget. Phoenix PHNX.L said the rise was "relatively modest" and comparable to other busy periods. TAX-FREE LUMP SUMS DISPROPORTIONATELY BENEFIT THE WEALTHY British finance minister Rachel Reeves on Tuesday paved the way for broad tax rises to avoid a return to "austerity" in a rare pre-budget speech. Most savers can receive up to 25% of their pension as a tax-free lump sum. That costs 5.5 billion pounds annually and disproportionately benefits the wealthiest, the Institute for Fiscal Studies think tank said last year. Among the revenue-raising measures Reeves could turn to, according to pre-budget speculation, would be reducing the amount that can be withdrawn tax-free. Britain's finance ministry did not respond to a request for comment. The CEO of Legal & General LGEN.L, Antonio Simoes, told Reuters last month that tax changes which deterred pension saving would be "really concerning for the country". A company spokesperson declined to comment further. Withdrawals from pension pots were already on the rise this year. The amount withdrawn soared 76% in the six months to March versus a year earlier, Financial Conduct Authority data show. Financial advisers typically caution against removing money from retirement pots because investment gains elsewhere are usually taxed. Rathbones and Evelyn Partners, two of the other wealth managers, said they were fielding more requests for withdrawals but were working through options with clients. ($1 = 0.7451 pounds) (Reporting by Naomi Rovnick and Iain Withers; Editing by Tommy Reggiori Wilkes and Alex Richardson) ((Iain.Withers@thomsonreuters.com;))