Bonus - salary sacrifice or take the cash and lose childcare funding

Tax strategy

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

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