Pension drawdown regarding means tested benefits

Hi Mark

Short answer is no.

Whether it will affect your ESA will depend on the type of ESA you receive, how you take the pension and how much it is?

If you are only receiving Contribution Based ESA then a lump sum will not affect your ESA but a regular payment will. If the pension is more then £85/week then there will be a £1/week deduction for every £2 in excess of the £85.

If you are receiving any Income Related ESA, either in part or in whole, then it will affect your ESA.

First, there is an assets and savings rule if you take a lump sum, see

Asset and savings rule for ESA(IR)

Secondly, any regular payments will be deducted £ for £ from any ESA(IR) that you receive.

If the ESA(IR) is fully eroded then you will lose access to passported benefits such as free prescriptions and dental care.

Gary

Hello Mark,

You are right, if you 'only' have 6K in your savings, it does not impact any benefits. Over that amount there is potential for it to do so.

Catherine