Introduction Background Note
7.This section sets out that the increase in the maximum drawdown pension to            150 per cent of the basis amount has effect for all drawdown pension years starting on or after 27 March 2014.
8.The term “drawdown pension year” is defined in paragraphs 9 and 23 of Schedule 28 to FA 2004 as the period of 12 months starting when the individual first became entitled to a drawdown pension and each succeeding period of 12 months. The date on which an individual’s next drawdown pension year starts is not affected by whether or not it coincides with the start of a new reference period, nor by whether new funds have been added to the drawdown pension fund.
9.So, for example, if a member first became entitled to drawdown pension on        1 June 2012, the higher maximum drawdown pension of 150 per cent of the basis amount would first be available for the drawdown pension year starting on 1 June 2014, even if no new reference period starts on that date. And if the member has added to the drawdown pension fund between 1 June 2013 and 31 May 2014, this would make no difference to when the 150 per cent multiplier first applies, which would still be for the drawdown pension year starting on 1 June 2014.
10.All withdrawals from drawdown funds are subject to tax as pension income. An individual making a withdrawal from a drawdown pension fund during a period when they are resident outside the UK for a period of less than five full tax years is liable for UK income tax on that withdrawal for the tax year in which they become UK resident again.
11.Any new pension savings for an individual after the tax year in which he or she applied for flexible access to their drawdown pension fund will be liable to the annual allowance charge on all pension input amounts relating to those new savings.
12.The section is covered by a resolution made under the Provisional Collection of Taxes Act 1968. Under this resolution drawdown providers account for income tax under Pay As You Earn procedures before the 2014 Finance Bill received Royal Assent where they have made payments from a drawdown pension fund which are higher than 120 per cent of the basis amount but are not more than 150 per cent of the basis amount in a drawdown pension year beginning on or after 27 March 2014.