Bonus - salary sacrifice or take the cash and lose childcare funding
Hi all, welcome views on whether to let the tax tail wag to dog.
Mid 30s. Total base comp c£150k with bonus due in April of c£50k.
2.5 year old in Nursery so I’ve been salary sacrificing into pension to keep adjusted net income below £100k (using unused allowance from previous years).nursery funding is worth c£9k.
Because of this pension pot for me and my partner is now c£400k, which feels reasonable given our age.
Debating whether to repeat again for coming tax year (as I have unused allowance still and may soon encounter taper impact), or whether to minimise pensions, take the tax and funding hit (will lessen once child reaches 3 this tax year ) and start building immediate wealth in ISAs and clearing mortgage.
What would/did you do?
Posted Mar 6, 2026, 9:55 PM UTC