Don't raid your pension savings to buy a property

Should you be able to raid your pension savings to fund the purchase of your first home, as housing minister James Brokenshire (pictured) has suggested?

The short answer is no. While pension savings might be an attractive target for homebuyers needing a deposit, raiding the piggy bank simply means exchanging today's problem of funding a property purchase for the problem tomorrow of funding retirement.

However, if you do want to save simultaneously for a future housing purchase and for retirement, there is already a vehicle for doing so: the Lifetime Isa, aimed at savers between the ages of 18 and 40. Like other forms of the tax-free individual savings account, Lifetime Isas can be used to invest in cash savings, or in stocks and shares. Returns are tax-free and for each £4 you save, the government will add £1. This 25%bonus is payable on all contributions you make until the age of 50, though you'll only get it on savings of up to £4,000 each year.

Subscribe to MoneyWeek

Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE

Get 6 issues free

Sign up to Money Morning

Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter

Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter

Sign up

Until you reach the age of 60 you are only supposed to take money out of your account if you're using the money to purchase a property for the first time. Otherwise, there are penalties to pay on withdrawals made before your 60th birthday.

The scheme has got off to a slow start over the past couple of years, but for anyone balancing the need to save for a deposit with the need to put money by for retirement, Lifetime Isas can work well.