Further information and useful links

If you need help with anything to do with Atlas you can contact the administration team using the following details:

Call: 0345 121 3389
Email: memberenquiries@atlasmastertrust.co.uk

MoneyHelper
If you have a problem with your Atlas pension that the team cannot resolve, you might be able to get help from MoneyHelper, a free advice service provided by the government. Go to www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/pensions-and-retirement to find out more.

The Pensions Ombudsman
If MoneyHelper cannot help, you can contact the Pensions Ombudsman if you have a complaint about how your pension has been administered. The Ombudsman is a free and impartial organisation and has legal powers to uphold or reject complaints. They can be contacted by phone on 0800 917 4487, via email at enquiries@pensions-ombudsman.org.uk or you can visit www.pensions-ombudsman.org.uk

You can get help and advice about various money matters, including pensions, from MoneyHelper, a free service provided by the Government. Go to www.moneyhelper.org.uk to find out more.

We recommend that you consider taking independent financial advice before making any decisions about your Atlas pension. MoneyHelper can also help you to find an independent financial adviser (IFA) local to you and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Go to www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/pensions-and-retirement/taking-your-pension/find-a-retirement-adviser to get started.

Please note that an IFA will normally charge for the services they provide, and Atlas does not cover the cost of any such advice.

If you have lost contact with a previous pension scheme, you can contact the Pension Tracing Service to try to trace your benefits. The website is www.gov.uk/find-pension-contact-details or you can phone 0800 731 0193 or +44 (0)191 215 4491 from outside the UK.

To live the lifestyle you want in retirement you’ll probably need more money than the State Pension will give you. The full single tier new State Pension in 2024/25 is £221.20 per week.

If that doesn't sound like a lot to live on, then it's important that you start making plans for extra retirement income, and the sooner the better. Use our budget calculator to help you see what you think you’ll need in retirement

People on very low incomes are entitled to additional payments from the State to bring them up to a minimum level of income in retirement. The additional amount paid is called 'Pension Credit'. If you feel you may fall into this category and qualify for Pension Credit, then you may not fully benefit from joining Atlas.

Being part of Atlas shouldn’t affect your State Pension, this is paid on top of your Atlas pension.

Your State Pension can be paid anywhere in the world.

However, State Pensions are generally increased each year, but you'll only receive the increase if you choose to live in another part of the European Economic Area or any country that the UK has an agreement with to allow increases. For more information, click on the following link: www.gov.uk/browse/working/state-pension

You may be able to obtain a forecast. Please refer to: www.gov.uk/state-pension-statement

You can find out more information by clicking on the following link: www.gov.uk/browse/working/state-pension

Lump sum payments on death are payable under discretionary trusts, which means inheritance tax is not normally paid.

When you decide to take your benefits, you have the option currently to take up to 25% tax-free. The rest will be taxed, whether lump sum or pension, the payments are taxable in the same way as earned income.

If you decide to take some money from your pension account now and leave the rest for later, then the 25% tax-free lump sum will be in relation to the amount that you take now. The rest of it may have its own 25% tax-free element that you get when you take it.

If you are going through a divorce or dissolving a civil partnership, it is possible to split your pension account (as a way of dividing your overall shared assets).

Either you or your former partner can ask a court to grant a ‘pension sharing’ order. If the court grants the order, your former partner will receive a transfer value for part of your pension account, which they transfer out into an arrangement of their choice.

If you are going through a divorce or dissolving a civil partnership and you want to know what your options are, please contact the administrator.

For more details about what your employer will do when you go on leave, please contact your HR department for details about what your employer pays and for how long.

For more details about what your employer will do when you go on leave, please contact your HR department for details about what your employer pays and for how long.

You can choose to leave Atlas at any time, without leaving your employer. This is called ‘opting out’. You will have the same benefit choices as someone who leaves the company. You can find more details about what happens when you leave Atlas here.

You can re-join Atlas at a future date, if you change your mind.

If you need to speak to the Atlas Administration Team

Call 0345 121 3389
Email memberenquiries@atlasmastertrust.co.uk