The State Pension rose 4.8% to £241.30/wk in 2026/27. The 2027/28 rise will be decided by CPI in September 2026 — currently forecast at 3%+. What pensioners and those approaching SPA need to know now.
UK pension drawdown 2026: sustainable withdrawal rate 3.5–4%, sequence-of-returns risk, pound-cost averaging, tax-efficient income blending with ISA/State Pension, and the bucket strategy explained.
Opting out of auto-enrolment means forfeiting your employer's 3% contribution. See the full 40-year compound cost and when opting out might actually make sense.
The 25% tax-free pension lump sum is now capped at £268,275 — not 25% of your whole pot. We explain the Lump Sum Allowance, PCLS, UFPLS, DB scheme commutation, and what to do with a large pension pot.
Drawdown keeps your pot invested for potential growth; an annuity pays guaranteed income for life. With 2026 rates, worked examples and longevity maths to help you decide.
If you defer your State Pension past State Pension Age, you get more per week. But does it actually pay off? Break-even analysis for 2026/27 at current rates.
