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This publication is the annual update of HMRC’s Private pension statistics. This commentary presents information from Tables 2, 6, 7, 8 and 9, providing detailed statistics on the most recent data on personal pensions, annual allowance breaches, lifetime allowance breaches, taxable flexible pension payments and the estimated cost of pension Income Tax and National Insurance contribution relief.

Most of the tables in this release include figures using new outturn data for 2023 to 2024.

1. Reported annual individual contributions to personal pension schemes

Table 2 includes individual contributions made to personal pensions and individual contributions made by self-employed members from 2013 to 2014 to 2023 to 2024. These figures include the basic rate relief claimed on these contributions.

From the September 2022 publication onwards, Table 2 no longer includes figures on employer contributions. This is because HMRC no longer requires schemes to report employer contributions. As a result, schemes reported a large decrease in employer contributions for 2020 to 2021.

When interpreting these figures, it is worth noting that members are concentrated among a small number of large schemes. Changes to these large schemes heavily influence the trends observed at an aggregated level. Schemes can amend their returns: therefore, this table can include revisions to historic years.

• £14.6 billion of individual contributions were made to personal pensions in 2023 to 2024, up from £12.9 billion in 2022 to 2023

• £2.7 billion of individual contributions were made by self-employed members in 2023 to 2024, up from £2.3 billion reported in 2022 to 2023

Chart 1: The value of individual contributions to personal pension schemes from 2013 to 2014 to 2023 to 2024

Chart 1 uses data from Table 2 and shows the value of individual contributions to personal pension schemes broadly increasing since 2013 to 2014. The value of individual contributions to personal pension schemes is the highest at £14.6 billion in 2023 to 2024, the most recent year in the chart. The chart also shows the value of individual contributions made by self-employed individuals from 2013 to 2014 to 2023 to 2024.

2. Reported number of members of personal pension schemes

Table 2 includes the number of members of personal pensions from 2013 to 2014 to 2023 to 2024. This table also includes the number of members who are self-employed. From 2018 to 2019 onwards member estimates only include those who have made individual contributions to personal pensions in the given tax year. Prior to this, estimates also included members who only had employer contributions made to their personal pensions or had no contributions in a given tax year.

• the number of members making individual contributions to a personal pension has decreased to 6.81 million in 2023 to 2024 from 6.85 million in 2022 to 2023

• the number of self-employed individuals making individual contributions to a personal pension has increased to 360,000 in 2023 to 2024 from 350,000 in 2022 to 2023

Chart 2: The number of members and average individual contributions made to personal pensions from 2013 to 2014 to 2023 to 2024

Chart 2 uses data from Table 2 and shows the number of members contributing to personal pensions (rounded to the nearest 10,000), and the average (mean) individual contribution to personal pensions (rounded to the nearest £100). The number of members has decreased over the last 3 tax years presented. From 2021 to 2022 to 2022 to 2023, the number fell by 8% from 7.44 million to 6.85 million. The number then fell by a further 1% to 6.81 million in 2023 to 2024. Average contributions have increased for the last 2 tax years. Between 2021 to 2022 and 2022 to 2023, average contributions rose by 11% to £1,900 and then rose by 13% to £2,100 in 2023 to 2024.

3. The estimated cost of pension relief

Some of the figures in Table 6 for the tax years 2019 to 2020, 2020 to 2021, 2021 to 2022, and 2022 to 2023 have been revised to include improvements to the methodology and the most recent outturn data available. More information on these revisions can be found in the Background and methodology.

3.1 Estimated cost of pension Income Tax and National Insurance contribution (NIC) relief

Table 6 includes an estimate of gross and net pension Income Tax andÌýNICsÌýrelief and the elements used to calculate this for tax years 2019 to 2020 to 2023 to 2024. Gross pension Income Tax andÌýNICsÌýrelief includes estimates of Income Tax relief on total contributions to registered private pension schemes, Income Tax relief on investment income of pension funds, and Class 1 primary and secondaryÌýNICsÌýon employer contributions. Net relief is estimated by calculating gross relief less Income Tax on pensions in payment, annual allowance charges, and lifetime allowance charges.

• gross pension Income Tax andÌýNICsÌýrelief in 2023 to 2024 is estimated to be £78.2 billion, up from £72.1 billion in 2022 to 2023

• Class 1 Primary and Class 1 Secondary National Insurance contributions (NICs) relief on employer contributions (including those made via salary sacrifice) is estimated to be £24.0 billion in 2023 to 2024, down from £24.3 billion in 2022 to 2023

• Income Tax paid on payments from registered private pensions is reported to be £25.4 billion in 2023 to 2024, up from £21.1 billion in 2022 to 2023

• the estimated net cost of pension Income Tax andÌýNICsÌýrelief is estimated to be £52.5 billion in 2023 to 2024, up from £50.1 billion in 2022 to 2023

Chart 3: Estimated gross and net pension Income Tax andÌýNICÌýrelief, 2019 to 2020 to 2023 to 2024, £ billions.

Chart 3 uses data from Table 6 and shows gross Income Tax relief, NIC relief, pension tax charges and net Income Tax andÌýNICÌýrelief for 2019 to 2020 up to 2023 to 2024. Net Income Tax and NIC relief is £52.5 billion in 2023 to 2024.

Chart 4: The estimated proportion of Income Tax relief on pension contributions and investment income in 2023 to 2024, £ billions.

Chart 4 uses data from Table 6 and shows the split of Income Tax relief on pension contributions and investment income by the type of contribution for 2023 to 2024. Income Tax relief on employer contributions to net pay schemes is the largest type of Income Tax relief at £20.8 billion. Income Tax relief on self-employed contributions is the smallest type of Income Tax relief at £1.0 billion.

3.2 Pension Income Tax relief split by sector, scheme type and rate of relief

Table 6.1 includes the estimated Income Tax relief on individual and employer contributions split by relief mechanism, sector, scheme type and marginal tax rate.

• in 2023 to 2024 66% of Income Tax relief on total pension contributions is estimated to be relieved on contributions to personal or private sector occupational schemes

• in 2023 to 2024 55% of Income Tax relief on total pension contributions is estimated to be relieved on contributions to defined contribution schemes

Chart 5: The estimated proportion of Income Tax relief on total pension contributions in 2023 to 2024 by the rate of relief

Chart 5 presents information from Table 6.1 of the statistics showing that in 2023 to 2024 it is estimated that 13% of Income Tax relief on total pension contributions was relieved at the additional rate of Income Tax, 55% at the higher rate, and 32% at the basic rate.

3.3 Pension National Insurance contribution (NIC) relief split by sector, scheme type and rate of relief

Table 6.2 includes the estimated Class 1 primary (C1P) and Class 1 secondary (C1S)ÌýNICÌýrelief on employer contributions, including salary sacrificed contributions, split by relief mechanism, sector, scheme type and marginalÌýNICÌý°ù²¹³Ù±ð.

C1P NICs relief on employer contributions:

• in 2023 to 2024 59% of C1PÌýNICsÌýrelief on employer contributions is estimated to be relieved on contributions to personal or private sector occupational schemes

• in 2023 to 2024 48% of C1PÌýNICsÌýrelief on employer contributions is estimated to be relieved on contributions to defined contribution schemes

• in 2023 to 2024 84% ofÌýC1PÌýNICsÌýrelief on employer contributions are estimated to be relieved at the primary threshold rate and 16% at the upper earnings limit rate

C1S NICs relief on employer contributions:

• in 2023 to 2024 63% of C1SÌýNICs reliefÌýon employer contributions is estimated to be relieved on contributions to personal or occupational schemes in the private sector

• in 2023 to 2024 52% of C1SÌýNICs reliefÌýon employer contributions is estimated to be relieved on contributions to defined contribution schemes

4. Annual allowance

Table 7 includes the number of annual allowance (AA) charges reported to HMRC through Accounting for Tax (AfT) returns and Self Assessment (SA) returns. The table also includes the value of annual allowance charges reported throughÌýAfT,Ìýand the value of AA breaches (that is, the value of contributions in excess of the AA) reported throughÌýSA.

Excluding individuals who were affected by the public service pensions remedy (also known as McCloud – see below), all individuals are required to report contributions in excess of the AA throughÌýSA. This includes individuals who have used Scheme Pays (where the individual’s pension scheme pays some or all of the AA charge liability on the individual’s behalf, in return for an appropriate reduction in the individual’s pension benefits). However, not all individuals using Scheme Pays report through SA in practice. Individuals who have not used the Scheme Pays option, but have reported their breach throughÌýSA,Ìýwill be included in theÌýSAÌýfigures but not theÌýAfTÌýfigures. There is also a lag between when AA charges are incurred and when they are reported in the AfT return. There are therefore differences between theÌýAfTÌýandÌýSAÌýfigures. Furthermore, amendments have been made to the number and value of AA charges reported via both SA and AfT, therefore the figures published this year do not exactly match the figures published in previous years.

• in 2023 to 2024, 23,370 individuals reported pension contributions exceeding their personalised AA throughÌýSA. This has decreased from 32,540 individuals in 2022 to 2023

• the total value of contributions in excess of the AA that were reported via SA was £466 million in 2023 to 2024. This has decreased from £728 million in 2022 to 2023

HMRC published guidance titled Changes in your annual allowance following the public service pensions remedy for individuals affected by the public service pensions remedy (also known as McCloud). Affected individuals were instructed to report any annual allowance charges for the 2022 to 2023 tax year through the Calculate your public service pension scheme adjustment service, rather than through SA. As anticipated, as a significant number of AA charges come from public service scheme members, this contributed to a large year-on-year decline in the number and value of contributions in excess of the AA as reported by SA in the 2022 to 2023 tax year compared to the 2021 to 2022 tax year. The standard AA threshold increased from £40,000 to £60,000 at the start of the 2023 to 2024 tax year. This increase in the standard AA threshold has contributed to a further year-on-year decline in the number and value of contributions in excess of the AA as reported by SA in the 2023 to 2024 tax year compared to the 2022 to 2023 tax year.

• in 2023 to 2024, 49,590 AA charges were reported by schemes throughÌýAfTÌýreturns. This has decreased from 54,920 in 2022 to 2023

• the total value of AA charges reported by schemes via AfT for tax year 2023 to 2024 was £350 million. This has increased from £348 million reported in 2022 to 2023

Chart 6: Number of AA charges and value of pension contributions in excess of the AA reported throughÌýSA,Ìý2006 to 2007 to 2023 to 2024

Chart 6 presents information from Table 7, showing the number of individuals reporting AA charges through SA, and the total value of contributions in excess of the AA reported through SA. Both the number of AA charges and value of contributions in excess of the AA decreased between 2022 to 2023 and 2023 to 2024.

The number of individuals reporting AA charges through SA decreased by 39% between 2021 to 2022 and 2022 to 2023, while the value of contributions in excess of the AA decreased 43%. Between 2022 to 2023 and 2023 to 2024, the number of reporting individuals decreased by 32%, and the total value of contributions above the AA decreased by 36%.

Chart 7: Number of AA charges and value of AA charges reported throughÌýAfT,Ìý2012 to 2013 to 2023 to 2024

Chart 7 presents information from Table 7, showing the number and the value of AA charges as reported via AfT. Between 2022 to 2023 and 2023 to 2024, the number of AA charges reported through AfT decreased and the value of AA charges reported in AfT slightly increased.

The number of AA charges reported through AfT increased by 9% between 2021 to 2022 and 2022 to 2023, while the value of AA charges increased by 6%. Between 2022 to 2023 and 2023 to 2024, the number of reported charges decreased by 10%, and the total value of AA charges increased by 1%.

5. Lifetime allowance

Table 8 includes the number and value of lump sum and non-lump sum lifetime allowance (LTA) charges reported throughÌýAfTÌýreturns. Lump sum breaches are charged at 55% and non-lump sum payments are charged at 25%.

• in 2023 to 2024, a total of 620 LTAÌýcharges were reported by schemes throughÌýAfTÌýreturns. This is a decrease fromÌý12,080 LTAÌýcharges reported in 2022 to 2023

• the total value ofÌýLTAÌýcharges reported by schemes in 2023 to 2024 was £16 million. This is a decrease from £484 million in 2022 to 2023

In 2023 to 2024 the LTA charge was set to 0% before being abolished in 2024 to 2025. There are still some LTA charges that are reported in 2023 to 2024 through the Accounting for Tax (AfT) system. This is the case for 3 reasons:

• there is a lag between when LTA charges are incurred and when they are reported in the AfT return to HMRC; some charges from 2022 to 2023 are received by HMRC in 2023 to 2024

• AfT records charges in quarters that start on the first day of each month (1 January, 1 April, 1 July, and 1 October). Thus, the year totals recorded in AfT data are from 1 April to 31 March the following year, inclusive, and so don’t exactly align with the UK tax year (6 April to 5 April the following year, inclusive). This means that a small number of LTA charges from the 2022 to 2023 tax year will have been reported in the 2023 to 2024 return

• as a result of the McCloud remedy, some individuals have new or additional LTA charges which are reported in AFT

Chart 8: Reported number and value ofÌýLTAÌýcharges throughÌýAfTÌýfrom 2006 to 2007 to 2023 to 2024

Chart 8 presents information from Table 8 of the statistics, showing the total number and value of LTA charges paid by schemes through AfT returns has increased over the past 3 tax years. Between 2021 to 2022 and 2022 to 2023, the total number of LTA charges increased by 2%, and the total value of charges decreased by 4%. Between 2022 to 2023 and 2023 to 2024, the total number of LTA charges decreased by 95%, and the total value of charges decreased by 97%.

6. Pension flexibility

Figures provided on taxable flexible payments from pensions are not comparable to those published before September 2023 due to methodological improvements. More information can be found in the Background and Methodology.

Table 9 includes the value of taxable flexibly accessed pension payments, the number of payments, and the number of individuals in receipt of payments by quarter and tax year from Q2 of 2015 to Q1 of 2024. Figures disaggregated by age and gender are also included. Non-taxable elements of flexibly accessed payments are not included in this table as it is optional for schemes to report these to HMRC.

• the total value of taxable payments withdrawn flexibly from pensions since flexibility changes were introduced in 2015 has exceeded £102.3 billion

• in 2024 to 2025, £18.6 billion in taxable payments was withdrawn from pensions flexibly. This has increased from £15.3 billion in 2023 to 2024 and £12.9 billion in 2022 to 2023

• between 1 January 2025 and 31 March 2025, £5.0 billion of taxable payments was withdrawn from pensions flexibly by 672,000 individuals across 1.6 million payments. The average taxable withdrawal per person was £7,400 in this period. There was a 24% increase in the value of payments withdrawn in this quarter compared to the same quarter in 2024, and a 13% increase in the number of individuals withdrawing

Chart 9: The reported value of taxable flexibly accessed payments and number of individuals accessing these payments by quarter from Q2 of 2017 to Q1 of 2025

Chart 9 presents information from Table 9 of the statistics, showing that the reported value of taxable flexibly accessed pensions and number of individuals accessing these payments generally falls in Q3 and Q4 and rises in Q1 and Q2. The value of withdrawals in 2025 Q1 was £5.0 billion withdrawn by 672,000 individuals. This total value is approximately equal to the peak in 2024 Q2, but a 24% increase on the same quarter in 2023.

6.1 Taxable flexibly accessed pension payments, split by age

Table 9.1 includes the value of taxable flexibly accessed pension payments, the number of payments, and the number of individuals in receipt of payments by tax year from 2015 to 2016 up to 2024 to 2025, split by the age of the individual making the flexible withdrawal.

• 42% of individuals who have received taxable flexible pension payments since flexibility changes were introduced in 2015 made their first withdrawal while aged 55-59. 28% were aged 60-64, and 20% were aged 65-69, at first withdrawal

Chart 10: The proportion of the reported value of taxable flexibly accessed payments paid to each age category by tax year from 2016 to 2017 to 2024 to 2025

Chart 10 presents information from Table 9.1 of the statistics (Reported taxable flexible payments from pensions split by age), showing the proportion of the value of taxable flexible pension payments paid to different age cohorts. Note that labels have been suppressed for categories making up less than 5% of the total value of taxable flexible pension payments. The proportions paid to individuals in all cohorts aged 64 and below (14-54, 55-59, and 60-64) have decreased over time, while the proportions paid to individuals in all cohorts aged 65 and over (65-69, 70-74, 75-80, 81+) have increased.

In 2016 to 2017, 42% of the total value of taxable flexible pension payments was paid to individuals aged 55 to 59, and 29% was paid to those aged 65 and over. In 2024 to 2025, those proportions of the total value of taxable flexible pension payments were 26% for those aged 55 to 59, and 45% for those aged 65 and over.

6.2 Taxable flexibly accessed pension payments, split by gender

Table 9.2 includes the value of taxable flexibly accessed pension payments, the number of payments, and the number of individuals in receipt of payments by tax year from 2015 to 2016 up to 2024 to 2025, split by the gender of the individual receiving the payment.

• in 2024 to 2025, £4.7 billion in taxable payments was withdrawn from pensions flexibly by women (25% of the total value), and £13.9 billion in taxable payments was withdrawn from pensions flexibly by men (75% of the total value)

The statistical contacts for this publication are:

• O Denton-Turner

• M Jennings

• personaltax.statistics@hmrc.gov.uk

For press queries, please contact HMRC Press Office: news.desk@hmrc.gov.uk