As always though, every investment comes with an element of risk attached, so it's not that simple.

Problem

Roddy Kohn, a financial adviser at Kohn Cougar says people should think very carefully before leaping in.

"It depends on the personal circumstances of the individual.

"If you're quite young, then the more time you've got to retirement, the better those capital values could be on a property you put into the pension fund.

"On the other hand, if you're quite old and close to retirement, there is a real problem in selling property close to retirement.

"It may be difficult to sell, and therefore your pension fund assets may be at risk, and so I would say it was less advantageous to do it."

He also adds that it is not a good idea to "do it just for the tax advantages."

Properties abroad

Another worry for Martin, is whether to buy now or wait until 2005.

If he buys now, and the new rules do come in, he would then have to transfer it to his pension scheme, and the scheme would have to pay stamp duty.

So in effect, he'd end up paying stamp duty twice.

Interestingly, although Martin's property is in the UK, so far, the Chancellor has not ruled out the possibility of including investment properties abroad in your pension portfolio.