InvestAcc Pension Administration

Log In to Online Services | Sign Up to our Newsletter

SIPP

SIPP

Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs) were first introduced in 1989 and have evolved into the favoured investment vehicle for individuals seeking more control and flexibility in their retirement planning. Unlike traditional insurance company pension schemes, you are not restricted to the narrow investment funds of any one company and may invest in a wide range of permissible investments within a tax efficient wrapper. Income tax relief is normally allowed on personal contributions and corporation tax relief on company contributions. The fund is exempt from most forms of taxation, allowing tax efficient growth.

Who can have a SIPP?

Any individual who is resident in the UK under the age of 75 may make contributions to a SIPP and in certain circumstances non-UK residents who have had UK earnings in the previous five years may also be eligible. An individual may be a member of as many pension schemes as they wish, contributions may be paid direct by the member, their employer and by transfer of previous pension plans. Note that we only accept applications for new SIPPs from individuals who are UK resident.

How much may be contributed?

Contributions to a SIPP are unlimited, the only limits applicable being limits for tax relief purposes. To obtain tax relief on individual contributions, the maximum that may be paid is the greater of:

  • £3,600 regardless of earnings ; or
  • 100% of relevant UK earnings

HMRC set an annual limit for tax relief purposes, in the tax year 2022/23 this is £40,000 (increasing to £60,000 in 2023/24). In some circumstances, carry forward of unused allowances from the previous three tax years may be possible. Note that for tax years 2016/17 to 2019/20, your annual allowance may be subject to reduction due to tapering, if your threshold income exceeds £110,000 and you have adjusted income exceeding £150,000. For tax years 2020/21 onwards, threshold income is £200,000 and adjusted net income is £240,000. For tax years 2023/24 onwards, threshold income is £200,000 and adjusted net income is £260,000.

Note that if you have accessed your pension using a flexible option (e.g. taken any income under flexi access drawdown or taken an uncrystallised funds pension lump sum) then you will be subject to the reduced Money Purchase Annual Allowance of £4,000 in 2022/23 (£10,000 in 2023/24), and you will not be able to use carry forward of unused allowances for your money purchase contributions.

What investments are permissible?

HMRC allow SIPPs to invest in a wide range of investments, permitting in theory virtually any form of asset to be held. However, care must be taken not to invest in certain assets that may incur tax charges, including residential property and other esoteric investments. Should any scheme arrange any such investments, penal tax charges will be applied.

SIPPs may borrow to acquire investments, although borrowing is limited to a maximum of 50% of the fund value. Transactions with scheme members are permissible, although any such transactions must be arranged at an arms length valuation.

We will not allow the following forms of investment:

  • Overseas property
  • Residential property
  • Wasting assets
  • Direct or indirect investment in sporting animals
  • Tangible, movable assets (art, antiques and fine wines)
  • Unquoted shares
  • Unregulated Collective Investment Schemes (UCIS) or their near equivalents
  • Contracts for Differences (CFDs)
  • Loans to third parties (including Peer to Peer lending)
  • Forex trading

How benefits may be paid?

Upon drawing benefits the fund value is tested against the Standard Lifetime Allowance, (SLA) if the fund exceeds the SLA a tax charge will arise unless transitional protection applies. The SLA was introduced in April 2006 at £1,500,000 and has changed as follows:

  • 2006/07 £1,500,000
  • 2007/08 £1,600,000
  • 2008/09 £1,650,000
  • 2009/10 £1,750,000
  • 2010/11 £1,800,000
  • 2011/12 £1,800,000
  • 2012/13 £1,500,000
  • 2013/14 £1,500,000
  • 2014/15 £1,250,000
  • 2015/16 £1,250,000
  • 2016/17 £1,000,000
  • 2017/18 £1,000,000
  • 2018/19 £1,030,000
  • 2019/20 £1,055,000
  • 2020/21 £1,073,100
  • 2021/22 £1,073,100
  • 2022/23 £1,073,100
  • 2023/24 £1,073,100 (used for calculating PCLS entitlement from 6th April 2023 onwards)

At retirement, a number of options exist for the payment of pension benefits, including:

• Pension commencement lump sum – a tax free lump sum equivalent to 25% of the fund value may be paid.

• Secure income – a lifetime annuity may be purchased, providing pension income for the member, this may include a spouse’s benefit, allowing continuation of pension income after the member’s death.

• Flexi access drawdown – allows income withdrawals without limit, subject to income tax at your marginal rate.

• Uncrystallised funds pension lump sum (UFPLS) – allows a payment from your uncrystallised funds. 25% of each payment is tax free, and the balance is subject to income tax at your marginal rate.

• Capped drawdown (this option may be available if you held capped drawdown funds on 5th April 2015, and you now want to designate additional funds to capped drawdown under the same arrangement, and you have not exceeded the maximum income limits). Income may be drawn directly from the fund, allowing investments to remain, the level of income available is determined by reference to the fund value and Government Actuary Department (GAD) published rates at the time. This allows a flexible level of income as the member may vary their income from nil up to the maximum permissible in any one year. Benefit limits are assessed every three years up to age 75 and then yearly thereafter.

What happens to my pension funds in the event of death?

If death occurs before age 75, beneficiaries have the options of:

– Lump sum up to the available unused lifetime allowance, tax free if paid within 2 years. Excess is subject to the beneficiary’s marginal rate of income tax.

– Income in the form of flexi access drawdown, paid tax free

– Annuity purchase, income is tax free

If death occurs on or after age 75, beneficiaries have the options of:

– Lump sum, taxed at your beneficiaries marginal rate of income tax

– Flexi access drawdown, income subject to beneficiaries marginal rate of income tax

– Annuity purchase, income subject to beneficiaries marginal rate of income tax