Retirement Planning

A SIPP, or Self-Invested Personal Pension, is a UK registered pension that lets the saver choose how their retirement money is invested. SIPPs offer tax relief on contributions, a wide range of investments and flexible access from age 55, rising to 57 from April …

A SSAS, or Small Self-Administered Scheme, is a UK occupational pension scheme typically set up by aLimited Companyfor a small number of members, usually directors and senior staff. Members act as trustees and have direct control over investments. SSAS pensions follow UK pension law …

Both SSAS and SIPP arrangements give UK savers control over pension investments, but they suit different circumstances. SIPPs are personal pensions; SSAS schemes are occupational pensions sponsored by a UKLimited Company. This article compares the two on control,Loan-back, property, costs and compliance for UKBusinessowners.

SSAS trustees hold direct legal responsibility for running the scheme in line with HMRC and Pensions Regulator rules. Duties include record-keeping, scheme returns, member benefit statements, ensuring compliance withLoan-back and property rules, and acting in members' best interests.

Under the Pension Schemes Act 2015, transfers of safeguarded benefits worth £30,000 or more must take regulated advice from an FCA-authorised pension transfer specialist.

You typically have fourOptions: leave it in the old scheme, transfer it to the new workplace pension, transfer it to a personal pension or SIPP, or, if it is a defined benefit (DB) scheme, keep the guaranteed benefits.

Common rules of thumb suggest contributing between 12% and 15% of total salary, or saving 'half your age as a percentage'.