Maximising IR35

Maximising Pension Contributions for IR35 Contractors with WellPay

November 12, 20242 min read

Maximising Company Pension Contributions for IR35 Contractors with WellPay:

If you're an IR35 contractor, contributing to a company pension is a smart way to maximise tax efficiency and long-term financial security. At WellPay, we guide contractors through these benefits, helping you optimise your finances under IR35 regulations.

1. Tax Efficiency

By directing contributions to your pension before tax is applied, your taxable income reduces. This can significantly lower your overall tax burden. Additionally, contributions are eligible for tax relief at your highest rate, meaning if you're a higher-rate taxpayer, you can benefit from up to 40% relief.

2. National Insurance Savings

When WellPay makes pension contributions on your behalf, these payments are not subject to National Insurance contributions (NICs). This results in substantial savings for both you and your employer, allowing more of your income to be directed towards your future.

3. Building Financial Security

Pension contributions are crucial for building a secure retirement. Regular contributions grow your pension pot and benefit from compound growth. The earlier you start, the greater the potential for your pension to grow significantly over time. WellPay offers guidance on setting up and managing your contributions to ensure you’re on track for a comfortable retirement.

4. Flexibility and Control

Many pension schemes offer a range of investment options, allowing you to tailor your investments to match your risk tolerance and long-term financial goals. Additionally, WellPay ensures that contractors have the flexibility to access their pension funds from age 55 (rising to 57 in 2028), giving you more control over your retirement income.

5. Mitigating the Impact of IR35

For contractors affected by IR35, pension contributions can help reduce taxable income, helping to offset the financial impact of being caught by the legislation. By diverting a portion of your income into a pension, you can reduce your overall tax liability and increase the amount you keep.

Example Scenario

If you earn £125,000 annually and make a pension contribution of £25,000, your taxable income is reduced to £100,000. This means you regain your personal allowance, saving on tax and National Insurance, and can benefit from WellPay's full support in managing your contributions.

Things to Consider

While contributing to your pension is a great way to save on tax, it’s important to be aware of the annual contribution limit (currently £60,000 for the 2024/25 tax year). Exceeding this could result in additional tax charges. Additionally, reducing your salary to contribute more to your pension may affect other benefits such as statutory maternity pay or your ability to apply for a mortgage.

At WellPay, we provide expert guidance to help contractors navigate these considerations while making the most of the benefits available through pension contributions. Whether you're new to pension planning or looking to optimise your existing strategy, we're here to help ensure your financial future is secure.

Contact Us:

📞 0161 637 0128
✉️ [email protected]
🌐 www.wellpayumbrella.co.uk

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