What is a Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP)?

Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs) are designed to give you greater control over your retirement savings. With a SIPP you can choose from a wide range of high quality investments, manage them for yourself and consolidate your existing pensions in one place. A SIPP is different to other pension saving forms and can give you more control over your pension through a provider with a wide range of funds and the flexibility to manage your own investments.

SIPPs are not suitable for everyone. If you don’t want to invest across different asset classes or don’t think you will make use of the investment choices that SIPPs give you then a SIPP might not be right for you. Self-directed investors should regularly review their SIPP portfolio, or seek professional advice from an independent financial adviser, to ensure that the underlying investments remain in line with their pension objectives. Prevailing tax rates and the availability of tax reliefs are dependent on your individual circumstances and are subject to change.

While SIPPs are definitely suited to investors keen to look after their own money, you don’t have to be confident with or interested in investing. You can still benefit from financial planning and investment management services, so you can usually have as much or as little involvement as you like with your SIPP.

Self-Invested Personal Pensions are described by providers as right for people who want the freedom to choose and manage their own retirement investments. SIPPs are often thought of as pensions specifically for people with a lot of money or investing experience and whilst this might have been true in the past, competition between SIPP providers means costs have generally decreased and some SIPPs are now promoted by providers to be amongst the best value pensions around. You should investigate costs carefully before choosing, however, and always seek independent financial advice if you are unsure.