What to Expect from a SIPP

When looking at various pension options, there is a variety to choose from. One such option is a SIPP, which is an acronym for a "self-invested personal pension." As this type of pension and is personalized to the individuality of the investor, it can be an interesting option for those seeking a route outside the traditional pension investments. However, there are a number of positive and negative aspects to weigh before deciding whether or not this plan is right for you.

A SIPP is an investment option that gives you more flexibility in choosing where your pension money is invested. This can give you the freedom to have a wider or more unique variety of investments than in a normal personal pension, as there are no limits to what type of companies you can invest in. This investment can even include shares and commercial property, which are two financial areas many pension investments do not include. This option also gives you the control over the individual investments on a day-to-day basis, meaning that you have the opportunity to sell and buy as desired or as you see fit in the market of that day. Additionally, a self-invested personal pension can be opened with as little as £5,000, giving more opportunities to set aside for a pension for those people who do not have large investments to make or who want to experiment with a smaller amount of money.

However, this plan can also be a bit riskier and have several drawbacks. One such drawback is that you are not subject to professional advice while making investments, so the investment strategy is entirely up to you. A traditional pension investment has professionals watching the market and weighing the risks so that there is a large potential for a steady income with a small potential for losses. Another drawback is that there are less governmental protections provided to those with conventional retirement funds. This means that there is a higher risk for losing everything or a large portion of the investments due to fraud or insolvency.

As with all financial decisions, a self-invested personal pension has advantages and disadvantages. This means that it may be the best option for some and a wrong option for others. With this type of investment, it is possible to generate a great deal of money if you know what you are doing, your strategy is well played and the markets work in your favour. It is also possible to err and lose large amounts of money, ending in a net loss. Therefore, it is important to weigh the benefits and drawbacks carefully and see if you have enough knowledge and understanding of investments to manage your own pension.