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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Entertainment
Danny Rigg

Martin Lewis explains how to 'double or triple' your pension with easy change

Martin Lewis has urged millions of workers to 'double or triple' their pension with one simple hack.

The Money Saving Expert encouraged people to check their workplace pension policy immediately so they can make the most of their money.

He explained that, for every lump of money put in the pot, you pay less tax on what's saved into your pension, and your employer will match the amount.

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This means that a basic rate taxpayer losing 20% of their income to tax would get another £60 from their employer for their pension if they put £100 into the pot, YorkshireLive reports.

You'd normally only keep £80 of every £100 you earn, with £20 going to tax.

Higher rate earners keep £60 of every £100 earned over the higher rate threshold.

Because the money you put into your pension is matched by your employer and isn't subject to income tax, you could almost double or triple your money by enrolling in your workplace pension scheme.

Martin Lewis explained: "In effect, you lose £80 in your pay packet but you get double that - £160 - going into your pension.

"For a higher rate taxpayer it costs you £60 and you get £160, nearly treble going into your pension.

"This is unbeatable - there's nowt out there like it which is why my big message is, opt out and you're effectively giving up a payrise and you're giving up the tax benefits too.

"Of course you're going to take home less but what you get in the pension return is so good, so don't opt out unless you absolutely have to.

"For those people who have not automatically been opted in, many can and some of you should choose to, because your employer must let you join and it must contribute if you're aged between 16 and 74 and you earn over £6,742.

"Let's imagine there's a 21-year-old living at home with no expenses it's a dream time to start your pension.

"Just because you're not opted in just ask to join."

The Money Saving Expert then advised how much of your income you should put in your pension.

He said you should take the age you started your pension, divide it by two, and then put that percentage in for the rest of your life.

So if you started at 22, you should put 11% of your earnings in.

Martin said: "Nobody gets close to that, but the big thing about that equation, it shows the earlier you start, the better. 8% isn't quite up to the equation, but put in what you can, max this out."

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