If you’re considering a Self-Invested Personal Pension as part of your retirement plan, you may be wondering ‘How do I set up a SIPP?'’ 

Fascinatingly, SIPPs were estimated to hold over £500 billion in assets by February 2023,¹ which is more than the GDP of Belgium!²

In this article, EveryInvestor will be taking you through the necessary steps of how to set up your own SIPP.

This guide was meticulously researched and written by our team of financial experts who have a deep understanding of retirement planning.

Our aim is to make it easier for you to approach decisions about your retirement finances, and our content’s subjected to stringent quality and compliance checks and regularly updated to make sure we’re bringing you only the latest and most accurate information.

Let’s dive in and explore the process of setting up a SIPP.  

What's a SIPP?

A SIPP, or Self-Invested Personal Pension, is a retirement savings vehicle in the UK that empowers individuals to actively manage and invest their pension funds in a diverse range of assets.

What Is the Process for Setting Up a SIPP in the UK?

Setting up a Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) in the UK involves carefully selecting a provider, opening an account and choosing your investments.

Providers differ in their range of investment options, costs, and services, so it's essential to compare them and consult with a financial advisor.

Once you've opened an account, you can start transferring funds from existing pensions or make new contributions.

The next step is choosing your investments.

SIPPs offer a broad range of investment options including stocks, bonds, funds, ETFs, and property.

It's crucial to build a diversified portfolio that suits your risk appetite. You can manage your investments yourself or appoint a financial advisor.

However, remember, the value of your investments can go down as well as up, so it's essential to review your portfolio regularly.

All this might seem complex, but the freedom and flexibility to control your retirement savings make it worth considering.

How Do You Start Planning a SIPP?

You start planning a SIPP by following a number of essential steps to determine what you need from your investments.

These steps include:

• Understanding your financial goals: How much would you like to have saved by the time you retire? Knowing this will help determine your investment strategy.
• Assessing risk tolerance: All investments come with a degree of risk. Determine your risk tolerance and invest accordingly.
• Deciding on a budget: Determine how much you can afford to contribute to your SIPP, taking into account your income, expenses, and existing savings.
• Researching investments: SIPPs allow for a wide variety of investments, from stocks and bonds to commercial property and more. Do your research to understand which may be best for you.

Once you’ve completed these steps, you should be in a position to choose a provider, speak to an advisor, and start the application process.

What’s the SIPP Setup Process?

The SIPP setup process consists of making sure a SIPP would be right for you, choosing the best provider for your needs, and gathering the necessary paperwork before starting the actual application.

Once you’ve submitted your application and opened your SIPP, you’ll also have to make your initial contribution, choose your investments, and manage your SIPP.

Let’s take a closer look at each of these items on the SIPP Set-Up Checklist. 

Step 1: How Do You Find Out If a SIPP’s Suitable for You?

Finding out if a SIPP’s suitable for you and your specific needs is a crucial first step. 

SIPPs are best suited to those who understand the risks involved and are comfortable making their own investment decisions. 

To make sure you’re pursuing the right retirement solution, take a look at the eligibility criteria and consider your investment goals and risk tolerance.

Eligibility Criteria

Any UK resident between the ages of 18 and 75 can open and contribute to a SIPP, whether they’re earning a salary or not.³ 

Non-residents may also be able to open SIPPs under certain circumstances, for instance if they’re Crown employees, the spouse or partner of a Crown employee, or a non-resident who has UK pension funds to transfer but doesn’t want to make any further contributions.⁴

Investment Goals & Time Horizon

Your investment goals and time horizon will play a significant role in your decision. 

If you are aiming for potential high returns and have plenty of time before retirement, a SIPP may be right for you.

Risk Tolerance & Diversification

Understand your willingness to take on risk and diversify your investments to decide if a SIPP could be right for you, as SIPPs are ideal for those aware of the risks and comfortable managing investments. 

Balancing risk tolerance with your investment goals requires effective diversification, which could enhance your returns while mitigating potential losses. 

This means that understanding your risk profile and how comfortable you are with diversification are integral to deciding on the right retirement solution for your needs.

If you’ve decided that a SIPP could provide what your retirement plan needs, your next step will be finding a SIPP provider.

Step 2: How Do You Choose the Right SIPP Provider?

Choosing the right SIPP provider’s very important, so don’t rush this part of the process.

To narrow down your options, do the following:

• Get clear on your needs: What do you need from your SIPP provider? Fancy a wide range of investment choices or just the basics? Looking for an app to manage your investments on the go? Get clear on what you need first.
• Do your homework: Grab a cuppa and start digging into different providers. Look for ones that match your needs.
• Watch out for those fees! Compare charges across providers, as they can eat into your returns.
• Seek out reviews: What are other folks saying? Check reviews and ratings for a real-world perspective on each provider.
• Get a feel for a provider’s service: Give them a ring or drop an email. This way, you get a feel for their customer service—you'll be glad you did if you ever need help!
• Ask for advice if needed: Feeling overwhelmed? A financial advisor can help you navigate the SIPP provider landscape.

Remember, take your time and choose a provider that feels right for you!

Step 3: What is the Required Documentation?

Gathering the required documentation will, of course, be a key part of the process.

Here’s what you may need:

• Personal identification: You will need a valid passport or driving licence to prove your identity.
• Proof of address: A utility bill or bank statement, less than three months old, should suffice.
• National Insurance Number: Make sure you’ve got this handy.
• Employers’ details: These may be necessary if your employer will also be contributing to your SIPP.
• Pension details: Have these to hand if you’d like to transfer an existing pension.
• Bank card details: Have this ready if you’ll be making an initial contribution by card payment.

Be sure to have easy access to all these documents to avoid unnecessary delays.

Step 4: How Do You Open Your SIPP?

Opening your SIPP is what you’ve been waiting for, so let’s take a look at what you’ll need to do.

Here are the different ways in which you may be able to open your SIPP:

• Online: Most providers offer an online application process. You will need to fill in a form and upload your documents.
• Paper-based: Prefer paper? No problem. You can also apply via post, but this may take longer.

An online application could take as little as 15 minutes to complete.⁵

Step 5: How Do You Make Initial & Ongoing Contributions?

Making initial and ongoing contributions will be the next step once you’ve opened your SIPP.

You can fund your SIPP in the following ways: 

• Regular contributions: Monthly contributions are a great way to build your pension pot. Investing little and often could lead to good growth over time. (Take note, however, that investment returns are not guaranteed and depend on various factors.)
• Lump sum contributions: Got a windfall? Lump sum contributions can boost your SIPP.
• Employer contributions: Your employer can contribute too, and it's tax-efficient. Speak to them about this.
• Pension transfer: You may be able to transfer your existing pension to your new SIPP. Speak to your financial advisor and pension provider if you’re considering this option. 

Moving your old pension into your new SIPP account could take between 10 days and 14 weeks depending on whether you opt for a cash transfer or full portfolio transfer.⁶ 

Step 6: How Do You Select SIPP Investments?

Selecting your SIPP investments is a very important part of setting up your SIPP. 

In this step, you decide how your money’s put to work, so how do you go about choosing investments?

Some things to consider:

• Know your goals: Define your financial goals, timelines, and risk tolerance. These should guide your investment choices.
• Mind the charges: Be aware of transaction fees, management fees, or other costs that could eat into your returns.
• Understand your options:  SIPPs offer a broad range of investments like stocks, bonds, funds, and more. Research and understand what each entails.
• Research and analyse: Study potential investments thoroughly. Look at their past performance, risk factors, fees, and growth prospects.
• Understand the tax implications: Make sure you’re aware of the tax implications of your investments. Some may offer more tax efficiency than others.
• Explore options for diversification: Diversification strategies involve spreading investments across various asset classes to reduce the risk associated with a single type of investment.

Step 7: How Do You Manage Your SIPP on an Ongoing Basis?

Managing your SIPP on an ongoing basis is a non-negotiable part of the process.

To give your SIPP the attention it needs, you may need to do the following:

• Monitor your investments: Keep an eye on your investment performance.
• Rebalance your portfolio: Adjust your investments to keep in line with your risk profile and goals.
• Review the fees: Keep tabs on fees to ensure your are still getting a good deal.
• Adjust your contributions: You may need to change your contribution levels based on changes in your income or goals.
• Manage your taxes: Keep track of your tax situation to ensure your are maximising your tax relief.
• Keep abreast of regulatory updates: Stay informed of any regulatory changes that may affect your SIPP, like the rules regarding contributions and withdrawals. Remember, if you withdraw any funds before age 55 without meeting the special health-related requirements, you’ll face a tax charge of up to 55%.⁷

Remember, managing a SIPP requires regular attention and effort.

Common Questions

In Conclusion

Setting up a SIPP is not a Herculean task but requires careful planning, the right choice of provider, and an understanding of the SIPP rules. 

You’ll also need to gather the required documents, decide how to make your initial contribution, and choose your investments.

Naturally, everyone’s experience may differ based on personal circumstances, but by following these steps, you could be well on your way to answering your initial question, ‘How do I set up a SIPP?’.