A Simple Guide to UK SIPP's

A Simple Guide to UK SIPP's

This is a brief summary of the main rules of Self Invested Personal Pension and therefore will not cover every nuance or seek to apply to each individual. The information contained does not constitute advice and any questions arising should be discussed with a suitably qualified Financial Adviser. The thresholds and allowances are based on information and rules presently in force (Sept 2012).

Self Invested Personal Pensions (SIPP's) are, as stated, a form of Personal Pension available to UK residents. Generally, a SIPP is used by people who are comfortable making their own investment decisions. Unlike a conventional Personal Pension it allows you to invest in a wide range of different investments, including funds, shares, cash, alternatives and certain types of property.

Benefits can be accessed from age 55 and a tax free lump sum of 25% of the pensions value is available with the rest providing a taxable income. Benefits from a pension must be taken at age 75.

In most cases, annual contributions can match annual earned income. A £50,000 annual limit (2012/13) and a £1.5 million lifetime allowance also apply. On occasion, these limits can be affected by other factors. Carry forward (unused annual allowance from previous years) can ibe used to contribute more than the £50,000 annual allowance. Each new contribution made will apply   to the annual allowance within the tax year it is made (6th Apr - 5th Apr).

Tax relief is available to every eligible person. 20% of contributions are paid by the Government as basic tax relief. Higher rate taxpayers can claim a further 20%back directly via their local tax office and additional rate taxpayers can claim up to 30% (based on 2012-13 guidelines).

Non-earners or those earning less than £3,600 a year can contribute up to £3,600 gross per year (£2,880 net) each tax year and receive tax relief at 20%.

The potential advantages to having a SIPP arrangement can be :

Control: The greater control and flexibility to change contributions and investment direction

Choice: Diversify into your choice of investment and at levels you require.

Admin: All of your pension funds and investments can be held within one place.

Transferring existing pension plans into a SIPP is available. Many people have preserved pensions that have value with numerous providers. This can be from previous Employer Schemes, Final Salary Schemes, Stakeholder Pensions and SERPS. Many people think that the transfer process from personal pensions into a SIPP can be a nightmare but in effect it can be easy. That is not to say it is the right thing to do but if it is then the process is efficient.

Should you decide to transfer pensions, ensure that you understand how the transfer will be made. The vast majority of cases will transfer into the SIPP as Cash. Whilst you are deciding where the cash should be invested you will be outside of an investment and therefore not receiving returns. If seeking investment, remember that you can choose to invest across different investments and not just a single fund. This allows for diversification.

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