Dreaming of retiring already? A stunning country just a couple of hours from the UK has one of the highest paying pensions in Europe – but there are several big catches
Million of Brits could see a huge boost to their retirement, after HM Treasury unveiled plans to double the number of UK pension megafunds by 2030.
As previously explained, this is where smaller local authorities and private workplaces come together, with the aim that bundling larger funds will result in a much greater return. The government states these changes will ‘drive more investment directly into the UK economy for new homes and promising scale-up businesses’.
“With over £50 billion secured through the recent voluntary commitment from pension funds to invest five percent of assets in the UK and new local investment targets for Local Government Pension Scheme authorities,” HM Treasury added. “This tackles the gradual decline in domestic investment from UK pension funds, where around 20 per cent of Defined Contribution assets are currently invested compared to over 50 per cent in 2012.”
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For now, Brits on the State Pension will receive just £230.25 a week (£11,973 per year) as long as they have enough qualifying years of National Insurance (NI). If your NI record started after April 2016, you will need 35 qualifying years to get the full rate of the New State Pension.
But in comparison to nearby countries, the UK’s state pension seems mediocre at best. According to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) – as of 2022 – the full basic pension in Iceland is valued at ISK 3,439,428, equivalent to 31 per cent of average worker earnings. This roughly converts to £20,063.08 per year – more than £8,000 compared to the UK state pension.
“There is an annual allowance of ISK 300,000 (£1,751.11) for exempt income, equivalent to three per cent of average earnings,” OECD added. “Above this allowance, the basic pension is withdrawn at a rate of 45 per cent against income from pension funds. It is also withdrawn at 45 per cent against employment income but only after employment income is above ISK 2,400, 000 (£14,011) in addition to the allowance. There is also an annual holiday payment of ISK 106,765 (£623) which is withdrawn at two per cent above the income limits.”
However, the State Pension age is currently 66-year-old for men and women in the UK – although it is slated to increase to 67 by 2028 – whereas the normal pension age in Iceland is already 67 (except for seamen who have been working for more than 25 years in the occupation, who can retire at 60). If you claim your basic pension in Iceland before you reach 67, your funds will be reduced by 6.6 per cent for each year that the pension is claimed early.
Iceland also has a pension supplement which is applicable for single pensioners. The maximum value of this benefit is ISK 869,124 (£5,0712) per year, some eight per cent of average earnings. This benefit is withdrawn at 11.9 per cent, subject to the same thresholds as the basic pension.
If you’re tempted to ditch Britain for Iceland, you may want to think twice, as you can only receive the full basic pension if you have 40 years of residency. While Iceland’s pension may seem extremely generous, it is worth considering that the cost of living here is around 40-50 per cent higher than in the UK. This means you’d be spending almost double on your weekly food shop, property, and basic goods.
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