Law firm partners are among those likely to be affected after the Government today (15 October) laid out its proposed cuts to pension tax allowance.

The coalition Government is set to reduce the annual tax-free cap to £50,000 – a move that will primarily affect those earning more than £100,000.

The proposals, published today (15 October) and set to be rolled out from April 2011, will see high-earners receive tax relief on pensions contributions of up to £50,000 each year, compared with the current allowance of £255,000.

In addition, the lifetime allowance will be reduced from £1.8m to £1.5m from April 2012 with the Government expected to save around £4bn a year tas a result of the changes.

The overhaul replaces plans suggested by the former Labour Government to gradually phase out tax relief on pension contributions for higher earners.

CMS Cameron McKenna pensions partner Nigel Moore said: "I assume that the changes to the proposals are aimed at encouraging high earners to continue to put something into a pensions fund.

"However, law firm partners, who are typically at the higher end of the earning scale, will have to make a personal decision whether saving into a pension fund remains relevant to them or whether they should look at other means of saving."

BDO tax partner Colin Ives (pictured) welcomed the changes, commenting: "The system proposed by Labour was very complicated but now we will have a nice simple system. A pensions fund is a very tax-efficient way of saving but should be viewed as just one part of an overall savings strategy."

For more, see Time to retire the pension?