Can I Take My Pension at 55 and Still Work? (2024)

In many cases, clients ask ‘can I take my pension at 55 and still work?’ especially if they're worried about their future. There are several factors they should keep in mind, which are essential to ensure they enjoy the last stage of their lives while being financially stable. This article discusses the main points clients should consider.

Retirement Is Different for Everyone

Some people believe retirement consists of not working again because that's what they want. They might have worked for most of their lives, and they see retirement as endless vacations.

Nonetheless, that's not true for all cases. In some instances, people might want to keep working after they retire because they either love their jobs or enjoy keeping themselves occupied.

Whichever the case, everyone must keep in mind that retirement is different for each person. There are no rules regarding what someone should do after they're 55, which is why people must evaluate what they want to determine the best options they could choose.

Even though retirement sounds fun, it may be a cause for anxiety if the person wants to keep working and is unsure of whether they can do it or not. Thus, they should find out as much information as they can on the matter and start looking for alternatives in case they need them.

People Can Take Their Pension at 55

Generally speaking, people are allowed to take their pension at 55. Each case might be different, so individuals must consider their circ*mstances when they're nearing retirement age.

Alternatively, seeing a financial advisor is always a much better choice than trying to understand all the intricacies of financial situations when approaching retirement age. Instead of doing everything by themselves, clients can get professionals to help them, such as the ones at Kelley Financial Group.

Even though people can take their pension at 55, they might not want to if they believe they can't keep working. Nonetheless, that's not the case in most instances. Even so, if they want to understand everything about their financial situation, they should hire an advisor.

Are There Disadvantages?

People can take their pension at 55 and still continue to work, but if they don't make the right financial decisions, it could hinder their future.

Something very common among clients who take their pension and work is to pay more taxes, which may endanger their financial stability. At the same time, they could accidentally reduce their pension's growth ability.

Paying taxes and fees is mandatory, but clients should know that there are ways to reduce how much they pay. Nonetheless, not everyone knows how to make that happen, which is why hiring professionals is so important.

What Is the Best Option?

Living a happy retirement life and still enjoying the benefits of a pension is possible if the person knows how to make the best financial decisions. Additionally, just because they're retired doesn't mean they can't continue growing their assets. On the contrary, it might be a great moment to invest if they have the knowledge to do it.

The best alternative clients can go for to achieve their goals is hiring a financial advisor, especially the ones at Kelley Financial Group. They're professionals with a lot of experience and knowledge to evaluate their assets, assess their goals, and provide experienced financial services.

When someone is approaching retirement age, they might feel many different things. They could, for example, regret some financial choices they made in the past, experience anxiety about their future, and confusion if they don't know what to do.

However, financial advisors understand all these factors and can provide the best advice. They are empathetic professionals who listen to the client's needs and suggest effective solutions for their problems. After they assess their goals, their job is to identify the best alternatives and help the person shape the path they want for their desired future.

Conclusion

Many clients ask, ‘can I take my pension at 55 and still work?’ because they're worried about their future or they don't know much about finances. Even though they can enjoy both things, if they want to ensure they make the best financial decisions regarding retirement, hiring an advisor is a fantastic option.

Can I Take My Pension at 55 and Still Work? (2024)

FAQs

Can I Take My Pension at 55 and Still Work? ›

Of course you can. Occupational and private pension schemes do not care how you spend your time. HMRC does however view pension income like any other form of income, so get professional advice on whether to start taking a pension income yet or to defer.

How much of your pension can you draw at 55? ›

Pension release over 55

Once you turn 55, you'll be able to withdraw up to 25% of your pension tax-free from your personal or workplace pensions. And for withdrawals made on the remaining 75% of your pensions, you'll be charged at your normal income tax rate.

Can I collect my pension at 55? ›

Typically that's 65, though many pension plans allow you to start collecting early retirement benefits as early as age 55. If you decide to start receiving benefits before you reach full retirement age, the size of your monthly payout will be less than it would have been if you'd waited.

Can I retire at 55 and work full time? ›

You can get Social Security retirement benefits and work at the same time before your full retirement age. However your benefits will be reduced if you earn more than the yearly earnings limits.

Is it better to take a lump sum or monthly pension? ›

While a pension annuity offers a fixed monthly income, a lump sum can be used for a range of purposes, including for unexpected medical expenses. If you die early, you can potentially receive more money than you would with regular payments. If invested carefully, a lump sum could also offer a passive income.

What is the rule of 55 for pensions? ›

This is where the rule of 55 comes in. If you turn 55 (or older) during the calendar year you lose or leave your job, you can begin taking distributions from your 401(k) without paying the early withdrawal penalty. However, you must still pay taxes on your withdrawals.

Should I take my pension at 55 or 65? ›

Early Retirement (age 55 to 64): If you retire any time after age 55 but before age 65, your monthly benefit is lower because it is likely that you will receive benefits for a longer period of time.

Can you cash out pension when you quit? ›

Whether you can cash out your pension when you leave a job depends in part on whether you're pension is vested or not. Vested benefits refer to the portion of a pension plan that an employee is entitled to receive even if they leave their job before retirement age.

What is the minimum pension age? ›

What is the NMPA? The normal minimum pension age (NMPA) is the earliest age most people can start withdrawing money from their personal and workplace pensions. It's currently 55 years but this will increase to 57 from 6 April 2028, unless you have a Protected Pension Age or you're retiring due to ill health.

How many years does it take to be vested? ›

Vesting Schedules for Private-Sector Pension Plans

But it must provide at least 20% vesting after three years, 40% after four years, 60% after five years and 80% after six years. If the defined benefit plan is a cash balance plan, employees must become fully vested after years or less.

What are the disadvantages of retiring at 55? ›

The cons of early retirement include:
  • Years of no income.
  • A potential health insurance crunch.
  • A loss of meaning.
  • Feelings of loneliness.
Aug 4, 2023

What happens to my Social Security if I retire at 55? ›

If you retire at age 55, you probably won't be eligible to receive Social Security retirement benefits for several years or be able to withdraw money from your retirement accounts without paying a 10% early withdrawal penalty. Additionally, for most people, Medicare won't kick in for another 10 years.

How long will my pension last? ›

The State Pension is guaranteed for life. You might also be due pension income from a former employer if you were in a defined benefit pension scheme. This will provide you with a regular income for life. You might have contributed to an employer or private pension scheme where you built up your own pension pot.

What is the 6% rule for lump sum pension? ›

To determine this number, consider the 6% rule: which states that if your monthly pension offer is 6% or more of the lump sum offer, you should choose the perpetual monthly payment option. If the number falls below 6%, you might do as well (or better) by taking the lump sum and investing it yourself.

Should I take a $44 000 lump sum or keep a $423 monthly pension? ›

Steve Vernon, a former pension actuary, advises people to keep a pension if they lack enough guaranteed income from other sources, including Social Security, to cover such basic expenses as food and housing.

What is the rule of 55 for lump sum pension? ›

What Is the Rule of 55? Under the terms of this rule, you can withdraw funds from your current job's 401(k) or 403(b) plan with no 10% tax penalty if you leave that job in or after the year you turn 55. (Qualified public safety workers can start even earlier, at 50.)

What to do when I retire at 55? ›

What to Do in Retirement
  1. Travel the World.
  2. Get a Rewarding Part-Time Job.
  3. Exercise More.
  4. Be a Mentor.
  5. Take Classes.
  6. Read.
  7. Learn a Second Language.
  8. Volunteer.

Should I cash out my pension? ›

A lump-sum payout, however, might make sense if you are in critically poor health, or if you and your spouse already have sufficient income to cover your basic living expenses. 2. Are you taking your pension in a lump sum because you're worried that you may not live long enough to get back what you've earned?

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