Staveley will be a familiar name to many. The test case for IHT treatment of pensions following transfer in ill health has been in the news many times since Mrs Staveley’s passing all the way back in December 2006.

Read more: Lisa Webster: IHT, ill health and pension transfers

So it was with bated breath that Chancellor Philip Hammond stood to deliver his November Budget speech. Rumours has been swirling for weeks that pensions could be hit with changes to taxation. It was suggested that this would be to pay towards the NHS deficit among other things. It was with great relief that when he sat down and we reviewed the actual Budget papers that this was all just speculation and there was little impact. This can only be a good thing as any meddling impacts the distrust that consumers have for the pensions system and makes it difficult for advisers to plan for the long term with clients. How many times have we heard that PCLS or tax-free cash as it is more commonly known will be scrapped? Every Budget for as long as I can remember.

Read more: Elaine Turtle: Budget relief over pensions tax

The basic premise on contributions made to pensions is that once the money has gone in, you can’t get it out again until you reach retirement age (or earlier ill health or death). There are very few circumstances when exceptions can be made, and if a refund is made other than as permitted by HMRC, then it would be classed as an unauthorised payment with charges totalling up to 70% of the amount refunded.

Read more: Lisa Webster: Contribution refunds – what makes a genuine error?

As the last of the mince pies are eaten and the decorations all taken down, thoughts turn to what 2019 will bring for the SIPP market. While SIPPs received a lot of negative attention in 2018, advisers and their clients still see the benefits of investing in this tax efficient way.

Read more: Elaine Turtle: 2019 – the year of the property