Pension Contribution

By: EconomyWatch   Date: 6 October 2009

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Both the employee and employer make pension contribution towards an individual’s retirement plan. In order to promote social security schemes or retirement plans, pension contributions are tax deferred for all the payees. Individuals can also make payments for earlier pension dues after several years to enjoy quality retirement benefits.

Tax Relief Pension Contributions

Tax relief on pension contributions differs based on the pension scheme, such as occupational, public service or personal plans. In an occupational or public service retirement plan, the employer deducts pension contributions from the net salary. The tax is calculated on the remaining salary. Thus, the employee receives 100% tax benefits whether the tax is calculated on the basic salary or the CTC.

In personal pension plans, an individual pays tax on the entire taxable income prior to any deductions as pension contributions. However, the pension provider claims for tax back from the government. The tax back rate differs among countries. In the UK, the most common tax back rate is 20%. This means a UK resident receives £100 in the pension account for every £80 as pension contribution. For individuals with higher tax rates, tax relief can be claimed through an -income tax return form or by establishing contact with state pension authority.

Self-employed individuals can also claim tax relief against pension contributions through state pension authority. However, only approved self-employed individuals can benefit from pension schemes. Self-employed professions, which offer access to retirement benefits, include doctors, engineers, lawyers, media person and authors.

Missed Pension Contributions

Missed pension contributions affect the retirement amount that an individual will receive in the future. Thus, several countries have open gateways to cover up for missed pension contributions. The procedure to realize payments for missed contributions include the following steps:

·        Inform the state pension authority about missed payments through an application or online

·        Express willingness to make the payment for the due payments

·        Follow the procedure asked by the state pension department authorities

·        Clear due payments and enjoy raised pension amount

There are several online resources that can help an individual make the payments for missed pension contribution. Missed contributions are particularly important for self-employed people, free lancers and individuals working from home. Some state social security agencies, such as those in the UK, take proactive steps to inform individuals about missed pension contributions so that they can then pay the dues.


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