Work out a basis amount using drawdown pension tables
Tables and instructions to work out the ‘basis amount’ for calculating the maximum income from capped drawdown pension funds.
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These tables and instructions allow you to work out the ‘basis amount’ for calculating the maximum income from capped drawdown pension funds and, before 6 April 2011, unsecured pension funds and alternatively secured pension funds.
The drawdown pension table you use depends on when the reference period for the drawdown pension or unsecured pension started and, for those aged 75 or over, when the drawdown pension year or, before 6 April 2011, alternatively secured pension year started. The factors haven’t changed in the extended yield drawdown tables for use from 1 July 2017, but we’ve extended the 2011 tables to cover gilt yields in the range of 0% to 2%.
When you must use the 2011 tables
You must use the 2011 tables when calculating the basis amount:
- for reference periods beginning on or after 6 June 2011
- on a recalculation if there has been an annuity purchase, additional fund designation or pension sharing order effective on or after 6 June 2011
- for drawdown pension years after the member or dependant has reached their 75th birthday beginning on or after 6 June 2011
- for drawdown pension years for members or dependants who have reached their 76th birthday beginning on or after 6 April 2011
Please note: using the 60 day valuation window can’t change the date of the next reference period.
Use these tables in conjunction with the Pensions Tax Manual guidance on:
- drawdown pension rules before 6 April 2015
- drawdown pension rules from 6 April 2015
- dependants’ drawdown pension
- beneficiary’s flexi-access drawdown from 6 April 2015
When you must use the 2006 tables
You must use the 2006 tables when calculating the basis amount:
- for reference periods for unsecured pensions beginning before 6 April 2011
- for alternatively secured pension years beginning before 6 April 2011
- on a recalculation if there has been an annuity purchase, additional fund designation or pension sharing order effective before 6 April 2011
Please note: using the 60 day valuation window can’t change the date of the next reference period.
These tables should be used in conjunction with the Registered Pensions Schemes Manual guidance on:
- unsecured pensions on National Archives
- alternatively secured pensions on National Archives
- dependants’ unsecured pensions on National Archives
- dependants’ alternatively secured pensions on National Archives
When you can use either the 2006 or the 2011 tables
You may use either the 2006 tables or the 2011 tables when calculating the basis amount:
- for reference periods beginning after 5 April 2011 but before 6 June 2011
- on a recalculation if there has been an annuity purchase, additional fund designation or pension sharing order effective after 5 April 2011 but before 6 June 2011
- for drawdown pension years after the member or dependant has reached their 75th birthday beginning after 5 April 2011 but before 6 June 2011
Please note: using the 60 day valuation window can’t change the date of the next reference period.
Getting more help
If after reading the guidance you have a question about how to use these tables contact the HM Revenue and Customs Pension Schemes Services Helpline.
Updates to this page
Published 8 August 2012Last updated 2 February 2017 + show all updates
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Revised dates have been added to the extended drawdown tables and instructions.
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Revised and extended drawdown tables and instructions have been added to the page.
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First published.