Director Pension Planning for Business Owners.
Use your company profits to build a more secure retirement.
Tax-efficient
planning
Make better use of company profits with tax-efficient pension contributions for you and your business.
Greater flexibility
Choose from a range of pension structures to suit your circumstances and your future goals.
Support for business owners
Tailored advice from a team that understands the unique needs and opportunities facing business owners.
Long-term financial security
Plan for a more comfortable future while building a more tax-efficient and resilient business.
Your Options
SSAS vs SIPP - which is right for your company?
Both a SIPP and a SSAS can offer greater flexibility than a standard workplace pension, but they work in different ways.
The most suitable option will depend on your business, the value of your pension savings, your investment plans and how much control you want over your retirement strategy and objectives.
At Brancaster House, we can help you understand the differences between a SIPP and SSAS and whether either may be appropriate as part of your wider financial plan.
A SIPP (Self-Invested Personal Pension) is an individual pension that gives you more control over where your retirement savings are invested. It can be a good option for directors who want a broader range of investments while keeping their pension arrangements relatively straightforward.
A SSAS (Small Self-Administered Scheme) is usually set up by a limited company for a small number of members, often directors or business owners. It can offer additional flexibility, including the potential to invest in commercial property and, in certain circumstances, lend money back to the sponsoring employer.
SIPP
SSAS
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY
Using your pension to buy commercial property.
A SIPP or SASS can allow you to invest in commercial property, giving you the potential for long-term growth and a valuable asset within your pension. This can be a highly tax-efficient way to align your business interests with your retirement plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can I pay into a SIPP each year?
This depends on personal circumstances, but it is limited to something called the Annual Allowance (the maximum that can be paid into a pension each tax year), which is the lower of either £60,000 or your annual ‘Qualifying’ earnings. However, there are circumstances where this can be higher, whereby unused Annual Allowance from the previous three tax years can be ‘carried-forward’ into the present tax year. This can involve a complicated calculation, especially if you have other pension plans elsewhere, including a Final Salary or Career-Average pension.
Additionally, for those earning over a certain amount, the annual allowance can be lower than £60,000. This is dependent on a number of factors, and personalised advice is strongly recommended for those earning over £100,000.
How much can my limited company contribute to my pension?
Employer pension contributions are not limited by your salary (or Qualifying Earnings’) in the same way as personal contributions. Instead, they are generally subject to the pension Annual Allowance, which is £60,000 per tax year for most people, similar to the above answer.
Can I use my SIPP or SSAS to buy my business premises?
Both a SIPP and a SSAS can be used to purchase commercial property, including your own business premises. The property must be bought and rented on commercial terms at market value. Rent paid by the business goes directly into the pension and can be an allowable business expense that can reduce the company's taxable profits. Importantly, the rent paid does not count as a pension contribution, so it does not use any of your Annual Allowance.
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