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PensionBee responds to pension announcements in the 2026 Autumn Budget

Press
28
Oct 2026
Press

PensionBee has responded to the pension-related announcements made by Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey MP in the 2026 Autumn Budget, highlighting what the measures mean for savers and their retirement plans. 

With pensions policy continuing to evolve against a backdrop of State Pension and wider welfare affordability pressures, the announcements show a Government attempting to acknowledge difficulties on an individual level while preserving the bulk of its tax take.

The Pension Tax Allowance

Becky O’Connor, Head of Pensions at PensionBee said: “Sparing pensioners the hassle of being chased by HMRC for small tax bills is welcome, but the Pension Tax Allowance is worth around £93 in its first year and is withdrawn as soon as someone has a modest private pension or a bit of savings interest, so people who saved a little extra could really end up feeling penalised for it. 

“It also does nothing for the carers, disabled people and others with gaps in their National Insurance record whose State Pension is already too low to be taxed, and with the allowance due to end in 2030, it’s a temporary fix. 

“This may also give rise to a potential intergenerational fairness issue - people of working age earning £13,000 will pay income tax, whereas those above State Pension age will not.”

Definition of terminal illness for pension access

Becky O’Connor, Head of Pensions at PensionBee said: “Greater clarity on the definition of terminal illness should spare people at the hardest point in their lives a frustrating battle to access their own savings. Allowing evidence from overseas doctors is a sensible change that recognises how many people now live, work and receive treatment abroad.”

Death benefits

Becky O’Connor, Head of Pensions at PensionBee said: “Removing the two-year rule is a welcome fix: families shouldn’t face a tax bill simply because a pension payout was delayed by probate or paperwork outside their control. Greater certainty on how tax is collected when the lump sum death benefit allowance is exceeded should also make a difficult process less daunting for beneficiaries. In the run-up to pensions being included in estates for inheritance tax purposes, these changes are even more important.”

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