Merryn Talks Money Your Money Questions Answered: Pensions, Taxes and the UK’s Debt Outlook
Sep 24, 2025
Listeners get answers to pressing money questions, touching on the complexities of pensions and taxes. The hosts debate revenue-raising tax reforms and the viability of social media restrictions for kids. They break down the pros and cons of absolute return funds in a market that feels shaky. Bitcoin investment trends are examined, alongside the historical behavior of UK bitcoin trusts. Lastly, a serious discussion on the UK's debt situation and political risks reveals insights into potential hedges like gold.
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How Pension Lump Sums Affect Contributions
- You can withdraw the 25% tax-free pension lump at normal minimum pension age without being treated as retired if you only take the lump sum.
- Only taxable withdrawals trigger the MPAA cap of £10,000 on future tax-relieved contributions.
Tiered Utility Pricing Has Tradeoffs
- Pricing essentials progressively (cheaper basic use, higher marginal cost for excess) functions like a wealth tax and discourages waste.
- Such measures promote efficiency but risk reducing living standards and political support if applied bluntly.
Listener Suggests A 'Toxic Tax' On Social Media
- Tristan proposes a social media 'toxic tax' to reflect harm and pay for damages to youth and society.
- Merryn and John discuss alternatives like regulation and age-limited phones rather than using the tax system.