Work out a basis amount using drawdown pension tables
Source: gov.uk (2025-03-27)

Tables and instructions to work out the ‘basis amount’ for calculating the maximum income from capped drawdown pension funds.

These tables and instructions allow you to work out the ‘basis amount’ for calculating the maximum income from capped drawdown pension funds and, before 6 April 2011, unsecured pension funds and alternatively secured pension funds.

The drawdown pension table you use depends on when the reference period for the drawdown pension or unsecured pension started and, for those aged 75 or over, when the drawdown pension year or, before 6 April 2011, alternatively secured pension year started. The new tables should be used for calculating the basis amount for reference periods from 1 September 2025.

When you must use the 2011 tables

You must use the 2011 tables when calculating the basis amount:
- for reference periods beginning on or after 6 June 2011
- on a recalculation if there has been an annuity purchase, additional fund designation or pension sharing order effective on or after 6 June 2011
- for drawdown pension years after the member or dependant has reached their 75th birthday beginning on or after 6 June 2011
- for drawdown pension years for members or dependants who have reached their 76th birthday beginning on or after 6 April 2011
Please note: using the 60 day valuation window can’t change the date of the next reference period.

Use these tables in conjunction with the Pensions Tax Manual guidance on:
- drawdown pension rules before 6 April 2015 (https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/pensions-tax-manual/ptm062500)
- drawdown pension rules from 6 April 2015 (https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/pensions-tax-manual/ptm062700)
- dependants’ drawdown pension (https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/pensions-tax-manual/ptm072300)
- beneficiary’s flexi-access drawdown from 6 April 2015 (https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/pensions-tax-manual/ptm072400)
When you must use the 2006 tables

You must use the 2006 tables when calculating the basis amount:
- for reference periods for unsecured pensions beginning before 6 April 2011
- for alternatively secured pension years beginning before 6 April 2011
- on a recalculation if there has been an annuity purchase, additional fund designation or pension sharing order effective before 6 April 2011
Please note: using the 60 day valuation window can’t change the date of the next reference period.

These tables should be used in conjunction with the Registered Pensions Schemes Manual guidance on:
- unsecured pensions (http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20141204045540/http:/hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/rpsmmanual/RPSM09101000.htm) on National Archives
- alternatively secured pensions (http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20141204045540/http:/hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/rpsmmanual/RPSM09103000.htm) on National Archives
- dependants’ unsecured pensions (http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20141204045540/http:/hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/rpsmmanual/rpsm10101010.htm) on National Archives
- dependants’ alternatively secured pensions (http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20141204045540/http:/hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/rpsmmanual/rpsm10101010.htm) on National Archives
When you can use either the 2006 or the 2011 tables

You may use either the 2006 tables or the 2011 tables when calculating the basis amount:
- for reference periods beginning after 5 April 2011 but before 6 June 2011
- on a recalculation if there has been an annuity purchase, additional fund designation or pension sharing order effective after 5 April 2011 but before 6 June 2011
- for drawdown pension years after the member or dependant has reached their 75th birthday beginning after 5 April 2011 but before 6 June 2011
Please note: using the 60 day valuation window can’t change the date of the next reference period.

Getting more help

If after reading the guidance you have a question about how to use these tables contact the HM Revenue and Customs Pension Schemes Services Helpline (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs/contact/pension-scheme-enquiries).