A self-invested personal pension (SIPP) is one of the most popular long term investment options when preparing for retirement. They are very similar to standard personal pension plans, except they offer a lot more hands-on experience for those taking one out.

Unlike a standard personal pension, where you will invest the money to be looked after by a financial professional, with a SIPP you have more of a say over where it is invested. This makes it a much more appealing option for those who enjoy and have experience with investing, and there are many other benefits to it as a long term investment option.

Flexible Investment Choice

If you want to manage your own retirement fund, then a SIPP is the way forward. They offer the opportunity to pick and switch investments when you decide, providing full control over your financial future.

There is a broad range of assets available from most SIPP providers to invest in. These include stocks and shares on a recognised stock exchange, government securities, investment trusts, insurance company funds, commercial property and many other options. Such a flexible investment choice means experienced investors should have the opportunity to tailor their retirement fund to be exactly as they want it.

Tax-Efficient

A SIPP is an incredibly efficient long term investment option. Up to 25% of the accumulated fund can be withdrawn as a tax-free cash lump, while the rest will be taxed as income. Plus, all the other tax benefits that come with standard pension plans are still included.

Savers can benefit from tax relief when it comes to making contributions into a SIPP. Compared to making some other financial investments in an attempt to increase retirement funds before you finish working, these tax-efficient benefits are a worthy perk.

Early Access

New rules introduced in April 2015 mean that pensions can be accessed and used in any way deemed necessary by holders from the age of 55. This includes a SIPP, and you can keep paying into it until the age of 75. However, from 2028 you will need to be 57 or over to make withdrawals.
Accessing the fund is also highly flexible, with options to take it all in one go as cash, in smaller lumps or as regular income. As a long term investment option, there aren’t many more tax-efficient and flexible options available to savers at the moment than a SIPP.