Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP)/ Small Self Administered (Pension) Scheme SASS/ Other Pensions

A Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) is the name given to the type of UK personal pension scheme, which allows individuals to make their own investment decisions from the range of approved investments from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

Typically, SIPP providers can not invest in residential property; however a residential property fund is classed separately as long as two criteria are met;

This is because an investment in a property fund is deemed as the purchase of shares in a company which holds property as an asset rather than the tangible property itself.

A SIPP can allow an individual to have a wide range of investments as well as having a portfolio tailor-made to suit your requirements.

A SSAS is a company scheme where the members are usually all company directors or key staff.  A SSAS is set up by a trust deed and rules and allows members / employers, greater flexibility and control over the scheme's assets. SSAS’ are subject to the same rules as other registered pension schemes. 

State Regulated or Company pensions do not allow you to have any choice over the investments that are made.
Where as a SIPP can offer some degree of control over your pension.

Setting up a SIPP can incur many costs which will chip away at your investment capital so it is best to seek full advice from a financial advisor if you do not already have a SIPP.