PTM174700 - Lump sum allowance and lump sum and death benefit allowance: Transitional rules for the tax year 2024-25: Fixed protection
As of 6 April 2024 there is no longer lifetime allowance. If you are looking for information about protections, enhancement factors and the lifetime allowance charge please see these pages on .
If you are looking for information about the principles of lifetime allowance and benefit crystallisation events please see these pages of .
Fixed protection 2012 (FP12)
Fixed protection 2014 (FP14)
Fixed protection 2016 (FP16)
Fixed protection 2012 (FP12)
Paragraph 14 Schedule 18 Finance Act 2011
Individuals who had pension savings in excess of 拢1,500,000 but less than 拢1,800,000 could apply to HMRC for protection from the lifetime allowance charge when those rights came into payment after 5 April 2012.
Anyone who did not have primary protection or enhanced protection could have applied apply for fixed protection 2012.
As of 6 April 2024, the lifetime allowance charge has been abolished, but an individual is entitled to have their lump sum allowance (see PTM171000) and lump sum and death benefit allowance (see PTM172000) protected.鈥€�
Individuals with FP12 that have had benefit crystallisation events (BCEs) prior to 6 April 2024 will need to consider the below information to calculate their lump sum and lump sum death benefit allowance availability prior to their first relevant benefit crystallisation event.鈥€�
These transitional rules apply from the 2024-25 tax year.
Lump sum and death benefit allowance availability聽
Paragraph 126 Schedule 9 Finance Act 2024
For an individual with FP12, their lump sum and death benefit allowance (LSDBA) will be 拢1,800,000 and they will be subject to the transitional lump sum and death benefit allowance calculations (see PTM174200).
If an individual has taken less of their benefits before 6 April 2024 as tax-free lump sums than assumed under the standard transitional calculation, and the individual has complete evidence of this, they can request a transitional tax-free amount certificate from their certification administrator, see PTM174300.
Example
Raf has a relevant benefit crystallisation event on 28 November 2026. He receives an uncrystallised funds pension lump sum (UFPLS) of 拢50,000. To calculate his available lump sum and death benefit allowance, he must first deduct any benefit crystallisation events (BCEs) that occurred prior to the 6 April 2024.
Raf has valid FP12.
Raf does not have a transitional tax-free amount certificate.
Raf鈥檚 lifetime allowance previously-used amount is 拢490,000.
25% of this figure (拢122,500) is deducted from his lump sum and death benefit allowance. As Raf has valid FP12, this is fixed at 拢1,800,000.
拢1,800,000 - 拢122,500 = 拢1,677,500
Therefore, Raf鈥檚 available lump sum and death benefit allowance at 6 April 2024 is 拢1,677,500.
The amount of the relevant benefit crystallisation event occurring on 28 November 2026 then needs to be deducted from this figure.
拢1,677,500 鈥� 拢50,000 = 拢1,627,500
Raf鈥檚 lump sum and death benefit allowance at 28 November 2026 is 拢1,627,500.
Lump sum allowance availability聽
Paragraph 125 Schedule 9 Finance Act 2024
For an individual with FP12, their lump sum allowance will be 拢450,000 and they will be subject to the transitional lump sum allowance calculations (see PTM174100).
If an individual has taken less of their benefits before 6 April 2024 as tax-free lump sums than assumed under the standard transitional calculation, and the individual has complete evidence of this, they can request a transitional tax-free amount certificate from their certification administrator, see PTM174300.
Example
Continuing with the example of Raf above.
Raf recieves an UFPLS of 拢50,000 on 28 November 2026. He has FP12 and his lifetime allowance previously-used amount is 拢490,000.
25% of this figure of (拢122,500) is then deducted from the his lump sum allowance. As Raf has FP12 his lump sum allowance will be 拢450,000.聽
拢450,000 - 拢122,500 = 拢327,500
Therefore, Raf鈥檚 available lump sum allowance at 6 April 2024 is 拢327,500.
The tax-free element of the relevant benefit crystallisation event occurring on 28 November 2026 then needs to be deducted from this figure.
25% of 拢50,000 = 拢12,500
拢327,500 - 拢12,500 = 拢315,000
Raf鈥檚 lump sum allowance at the 28 November 2026 is 拢315,000.
Fixed protection 2014 (FP14)
Paragraph 1 Schedule 22 Finance Act 2013
Individuals who had pension savings in excess of 拢1,250,000 but less than 拢1,500,000 could apply to HMRC to protect them for protection from the lifetime allowance charge when those rights comecame into payment after 5 April 2014.
Anyone who did not have FP12, primary protection or enhanced protection could apply for FP14.
As of 6 April 2024, the lifetime allowance charge has been abolished, but an individual is entitled to have their lump sum allowance (see PTM171000) and lump sum and death benefit allowance (see PTM172000) protected.鈥€�
Individuals with FP14 that have had benefit crystallisation events prior to 6 April 2024 will need to consider the below information to calculate their lump sum and lump sum death benefit allowance availability prior to their first relevant benefit crystallisation event.鈥€�
Lump sum and death benefit allowance availability
Paragraph 126 Schedule 9 Finance Act 2024
For an individual with FP14, their lump sum and death benefit allowance will be 拢1,500,000 and they will be subject to the transitional lump sum and death benefit allowance calculations (see PTM174200).
If an individual has taken less of their benefits before 6 April 2024 as tax-free lump sums than assumed under the standard transitional calculation, and the individual has complete evidence of this, they can request a transitional tax-free amount certificate from their certification administrator, see PTM174300.
贰虫补尘辫濒别听
Michelle has a relevant benefit crystallisation event on 19 October 2024. She receives a pension commencement lump sum (PCLS) of 拢80,000. To work out her available lump sum and death benefit allowance, she must first deduct a percentage of the value of any benefit crystallisation events (BCEs) that occurred prior 6 April 2024.聽
Michelle has valid FP14.
Michelle does not have a transitional tax-free amount certificate.
Michelle鈥檚 lifetime allowance previously-used amount is 拢600,000.
25% of this figure (拢150,000) is deducted from her lump sum and death benefit allowance. As Michelle has FP14, this is fixed at 拢1,500,000.
拢1,500,000 - 拢150,000 = 拢1,350,000
Michelle鈥檚 available lump sum and death benefit allowance at 6 April 2024 is 拢1,350,000. Therefore Michelle鈥檚 lump sum and death benefit allowance is sufficient for her to receive the tax-free PCLS of 拢80,000.
The amount of the relevant benefit crystallisation event occurring on 19 October 2024 then needs to be deducted from this figure.
拢1,350,000 鈥� 拢80,000 = 拢1,270,000
Michelle鈥檚 lump sum death benefit allowance at 19 October 2024 is 拢1,270,000.
Lump sum allowance availability聽
Paragraph 125 Schedule 9 Finance Act 2024
For an individual with FP14, their lump sum allowance will be 拢375,000 and they will be subject to the transitional lump sum allowance calculations (see PTM174100).
If an individual has taken less of their benefits before 6 April 2024 as tax-free lump sums than assumed under the standard transitional calculation, and the individual has complete evidence of this, they can request a transitional tax-free amount certificate from their certification administrator, see PTM174300.
Example
Continuing with the example of Michelle above.
Michelle receives a PCLS of 拢80,000 on 19 October 2024. She has FP14 and her lifetime allowance previously-used amount is 拢600,000.
25% of this figure of (拢150,000) is deducted from the her lump sum allowance. As Michelle has FP14 her lump sum allowance will be fixed at 拢375,000.
拢375,000 - 拢150,000 = 拢225,000
Michelle鈥檚 available lump sum allowance at 6 April 2024 is 拢225,000. Therefore, Michelle鈥檚 lump sum allowance is sufficient for her to receive the tax-free PCLS of 拢80,000.
The amount of the relevant benefit crystallisation event occurring on 19 October 2024 needs to be deducted from this figure.
拢225,000 - 拢80,000 = 拢145,000
Michelle鈥檚 lump sum allowance at 19 October 2024 is 拢145,000.
Fixed protection 2016 (FP16)
Paragraph 1 Schedule 4 Finance Act 2016
Individuals who had pension savings in excess of 拢1,00,000 but less than 拢1,250,000 could apply to HMRC for protection from the lifetime allowance charge when those rights come in payment after 5 April 2016.
Anyone who did not have FP12, FP14, primary protection or enhanced protection could apply for FP16.
As of 6 April 2024, the lifetime allowance charge has been abolished, but an individual is entitled to have their lump sum allowance (see PTM171000) and lump sum and death benefit allowance (see PTM172000) protected.鈥€�
Individuals with FP16 that have had benefit crystallisation events prior to 6 April 2024 will need to consider the below information to calculate their lump sum and lump sum death benefit allowance availability prior to their first relevant benefit crystallisation event.鈥€�
Lump sum and death benefit allowance availability
Paragraph 126 Schedule 9 Finance Act 2024
For an individual with FP16, the lump sum and death benefit allowance will be 拢1,250,000 and they will be subject to the transitional lump sum and death benefit allowance calculations (see PTM174200).
If an individual has taken less of their benefits before 6 April 2024 as tax-free lump sums than assumed under the standard transitional calculation, and the individual has complete evidence of this, they can request a transitional tax-free amount certificate from their certification administrator, see PTM174300.
Example
Charlie dies, aged 71, on 1 March 2027. A relevant benefit crystallisation event occurs on 28 April 2027 as Charlie鈥檚 nominee is paid 拢250,000 as an uncrystallised funds pension lump sum death benefit.聽
He held valid FP16.
Charlie does not have a transitional tax-free amount certificate.鈥€�
Charlie鈥檚 lifetime allowance previously-used amount is 拢700,000.
25% of this figure (拢175,000) is deducted from his lump sum and death benefit allowance. As Charlie has FP16, this is fixed at 拢1,250,000.
拢1,250,000 - 拢175,000 = 拢1,075,000
Therefore, Charlie鈥檚 available lump sum and death benefit allowance at 6 April 2024 is 拢1,075,000.
The amount of the relevant benefit crystallisation event occurring on 28 April 2027 then needs to be deducted from this figure.
拢1,075,000 鈥� 拢250,000 = 拢825,000
As of 28 April 2027, Charlie has 拢825,000 lump sum and death benefit allowance remaining.
Lump sum allowance availability
Paragraph 125 Schedule 9 Finance Act 2024
For an individual with FP16, the lump sum allowance will be 拢312,500 and they will be subject to the transitional lump sum allowance calculations (see PTM174100).
If an individual has taken less of their benefits before 6 April 2024 as tax-free lump sums than assumed under the standard transitional calculation, and the individual has complete evidence of this, they can request a transitional tax-free amount certificate from their certification administrator, see PTM174300.
贰虫补尘辫濒别听
Alison has a relevant benefit crystallisation event on 22 March 2028. She receives a pension commencement lump sum (PCLS) of 拢170,000. To work out her available lump sum allowance she must first deduct a percentage of the value of any benefit crystallisation events (BCEs) that occurred prior 6 April 2024.
Alison has valid FP16.
Alison does not have a transitional tax-free amount certificate.
Alison鈥檚 lifetime allowance previously-used amount is 拢360,000.聽
25% of this figure (拢90,000) is deducted from her lump sum allowance. As Alison has FP16, this is fixed at 拢312,500.
拢312,500 - 拢90,000 = 拢222,500
Alison鈥檚 available lump sum death benefit allowance at 6 April 2024 is 拢222,500. Therefore, Alison鈥檚 lump sum allowance is sufficient for her to receive the tax-free PCLS of 拢170,000.
The amount of the relevant benefit crystallisation event occurring on 22 March 2028 then needs to be deducted from this figure.
拢225,500 鈥� 拢170,000 = 拢55,500
Alison鈥檚 lump sum allowance as of 22 March 2028 is 拢55,500.