pension release is available for UK citizens who have an UK pension plan and who are aged over 55. There are of course other criteria that you have to meet before cashing the money, but these are the most important ones. You can get up to 25% of your pension and this amount is also tax free. Although it will significantly reduce your income in the retirement years, it remains an option for those needing the money immediately for urgent issues. It can last up to an year to receive the money after you have applied for pension release and even though you can withdraw a maximum of 25% of the total amount, it is strongly recommended to only ask for the amount you need, if this is lower. The lower the amount you take out is, the little the impact on your retirement income is going to be. There are experts that can help you to take the best decision in what concerns pension release. They can also advice you regarding the most efficient method of taking money out of your pension fund. You can either choose to receive an annuity or you can withdraw the money directly. A financial advisor is also going to be of help in case you consider a pension transfer or a pension switch because he will teach you how to act in order to get the most benefits.