Puddleduck

COPE is an amount used once, and only in the calculation of your starting amount of state pension as at 6 April 2016 because you, like so many others, are under 'transitional' arrangements. It's of no real help or value to you, since the amount in question isn't guaranteed to be paid by the scheme(s) of which you were a member. If you have missing years or believe you may need to top up through voluntary contributions, then please see https://www.gov.uk/contact-pension-service [link removed]

Just to add to my previous questions, this is a real issue which needs clarification, please. I had a look at the lively Money Saving Expert website and can do no better than to quote from a couple of posts to explain why your assistance is vital: 'My DC scheme has confirmed I do not have a protected pension age. Their suggestion was to take enough of my pension at 55 to straddle the gap between 6th April 2028 and my 57th birthday. My DB scheme will not let me take my pension until I'm 57. They said the option of taking my pension before 65 is discretionary. They have decided not to let anyone born between 6 April 1971 and 5 April 1973 take it until they are 57.' Another poster quoted a reply from Hargreaves Lansdowne as saying: 'You cannot normally access money in a pension until the normal minimum pension age (NMPA). Currently, the NMPA is 55, but as you correctly stated this is increasing to 57 from 6 April 2028. As you were born between 6 April 1971 and 5 April 1973, you’ll be in the unusual position whereby you’ll be able to take benefits from your pension once reaching age 55, but only for a limited time. Once the new minimum pension age of 57 is introduced on 6 April 2028, you won’t be able to access any further benefits from your pension until your 57th birthday, even if you’ve done so before.' The situation ask going to cause absolute chaos if it is allowed to continue without some sensible input, so do please help!

I've referred to the link you've given but it doesn't answer my question. If current legislation remains unchanged what will the position be for those born between 6 April 1971 and 5 April 1973 when we reach 6 April 2028, until such time as they reach 57? It's a simple enough question. I am just asking you how, and indeed whether, the legislation covers the point. There seem to be many different interpretations from pension professionals, whereas you are of course charged with actually monitoring the implementation of legislation so must surely be aware of what you need to look out for? It is impossible for anyone to plan successfully if current legislation is not clearly understood, although everyone recognises it could change. For now, perhaps you could please answer the question based on legislation as it stands?

Thank you for your reply. Could you please clarify what current legislation says in this respect - or is the issue not actually covered by current legislation?

No. An innocent oversight which means you've paid too much tax isn't a target for HMRC!

I understand that if you are born between 6 April 1971 and 5 April 1973 so will be 55 before 6 April 2028, you'll be able to take your pension benefits at any time from your 55th birthday up to 6 April 2028. Assuming you are taking regular drawdown payments, will you then have to stop taking pension payments after 6 April 2028 until you reach the age of 57, please? I cannot find any definitive guidance on this. Has any been issued and if not, when is it going to be? Many thanks.

I received an email this morning (7 March) advising me to check my account for a new message about self assessment. I signed in and went to the message which read as follows: This message was sent to you on 05 March 2024 Your new Self Assessment statement has been prepared. You'll be able to view it online within 4 working days. Your statement will tell you if you owe any payments to HM Revenue and Customs, or if you're due a refund. I then clicked on the link to 'View statements' and got: 'You do not have any statement information to view.' What a waste of time. Why not ensure emails are sent out once the statement is available to view?