A SSAS can invest in a diverse range of assets, including:

• Commercial property and land investments
• Authorised employer loans of up to 50% of the net SSAS assets (subject to conditions)
• Investments in funds from the whole market, such as Platforms, WRAPs, Fund Supermarkets, Trustee Investment Plans, etc.
• Stockbroker and Discretionary Fund Manager (DFM) accounts

However, all investments must comply with HMRC rules.

You can access your pension from your 55th birthday, with earlier access possible due to ill health or serious illness. Benefits include taking up to 25% of your fund as a tax-free lump sum and drawing income through flexi-access drawdown or buying an annuity.

• SSAS offers comprehensive retirement options, including flexible drawdown.

Upon your death, the value of your SSAS fund may be paid as a lump sum to a nominated beneficiary or provide a pension for them. If you die before age 75, payments to beneficiaries are usually tax-free. If you die aged 75 or older, payments are taxed at the recipient’s marginal rate of income tax.

Whilst a SSAS (Small Self-Administered Scheme) is registered with HMRC and The Pensions Regulator (where more than one member) it is not regulated by the FCA.  Therefore, if any investments fail, they may not always be covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). The FSCS does however, provide protection for FCA regulated investments and advice. Therefore, if the SSAS has appointed an FCA regulated financial adviser to provide investment advice, the following scenarios apply:

• FCA Regulated Investments: Investments that are FCA regulated are covered by the FSCS. If these investments fail, due to fraud, default or collapse, the FSCS can compensate up to the maximum limit per scheme.

• Advice from FCA Regulated Advisers: If the SSAS has appointed a regulated financial adviser firm who provide unsuitable advice resulting in financial losses, the FSCS may cover claims against the adviser.

• FSCS Coverage for Cash Deposits: In the event of a bank or building society failing. Any cash deposits held on behalf of the SSAS are covered by the FSCS, up to the current limit of £85,000, per eligible bank or building society account.
• Non FCA Regulated Investments: Investments that are not FCA regulated will not be covered by the FSCS.