The short answerYou may be able to claim a tax refund on a pension if you’ve stopped working and taken all your pension, taken a small pension lump sum, flexibly accessed all or some of your pension, or had income from a pension annuity.
Which form you use depends on what you took and whether you are still working. HMRC's online checker tells you.
Quick facts
- Stopped working, taken it all
- Can claim
- Small lump sum
- Can claim
- Flexible access
- Can claim
- Annuity income
- Can claim
- Forms
- P50Z, P53, P53Z or P55
When you can claim
You may be able to claim a tax refund on a pension if you’ve:
- stopped working and taken all your pension
- taken a small pension lump sum
- flexibly accessed all, or some, of your pension
- had income from a pension annuity
What you need
- your National Insurance number
- the amount of pension payment and tax taken from it
- details of any other taxable income you expect to receive
- payment details for you or your nominee — these will be used if you’re due a refund
Other tax back
See tax refunds for other reasons HMRC may owe you money, and workplace pensions for the rules on taking a pot early.
Common questions
Can I get tax back after taking money from my pension?
You may, if you’ve stopped working and taken all your pension, taken a small lump sum, flexibly accessed your pension or had annuity income.
Which form do I need?
P50Z, P53, P53Z or P55, depending on what you took. HMRC’s online check tells you.
Can the refund be paid to someone else?
Yes. You give payment details for you or your nominee.
What do I need to claim?
Your National Insurance number, the payment and tax taken, and details of other taxable income you expect.
Source: GOV.UK: Check how to claim a tax refund on your pension, read 12 October 2026. Every figure on this page is quoted from there. If it changes, this page is wrong until we fix it — tell us and we will.